In 2023, cargo movements along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) reached 36.254 million tonnes, surpassing the planned target of 36 million tonnes by 0.254 million tonnes. This result reflects the steady growth in Arctic maritime lanes and the coordinated effort of key state and corporate players. The official Rosatom report confirms these figures and highlights the NSR as a strategic corridor for energy and commodities. [Source: Rosatom]
Rosatom’s General Director emphasized that the year’s performance was driven by enduring partnerships with major clients, notably Novatek, which accounted for more than half of NSR traffic. Other important contributors included Gazprom Neft, Lukoil, Norilsk Nickel, and several additional industrial groups that rely on this route for efficiency and delivery reliability. These collaborations underscore the NSR’s role as a backbone for northern energy logistics and related supply chains. [Source: Rosatom]
Transit cargo on the NSR totaled 2.13 million tonnes in 2023, marking the highest yearly figure to date and outpacing 2021 volumes. Oil comprised the bulk of this transit, with around 1.5 million tonnes moving through the route. The data point illustrates how the NSR is increasingly used as a transit corridor for crude and refined products, expanding the geographic reach of northern shipping lanes. [Source: Rosatom]
Rosatom representatives noted growing international interest in NSR operations. Specifically, the Chinese shipping line NewNew Shipping Line conducted eight voyages in 2023, transporting approximately 100,000 tonnes of transit cargo along the NSR. These missions reflect a significant shift in geopolitical conditions that previously limited such activities and demonstrate the route’s broader acceptance in global trade. [Source: Rosatom]
Overall, the year saw 250 additional sailing permits issued along the NSR compared with 2022, and transit flights rose from 47 to 80. This uptick signals a strengthening regulatory and operational framework, enabling more vessels to access Arctic routes while maintaining safety and environmental standards. [Source: Rosatom]
As December approached, readiness from China and broader Asia for supplies via the NSR remained strong, indicating sustained interest from Asian buyers and logistics partners in leveraging Arctic capacity for strategic deliveries. [Source: Rosatom]
Former Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak indicated expectations for further growth in oil shipments via the NSR, pointing to the route’s ongoing potential to support energy exports and diversify supply lines for northern markets. These projections align with continued investments in Arctic infrastructure and fleet capabilities designed to raise capacity and reliability. [Source: Rosatom]
Today, industry observers note that the NSR is becoming an integral part of northern trade, with rising cargo volumes and expanding participation from international partners. The combination of robust partnership networks, increasing transit activity, and supportive regulatory measures positions the NSR as a critical corridor for energy and commodity flows between Arctic basins and global markets. [Source: Rosatom]