OREANDA-NEWS  For the development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in accordance with the government's plans, Russia does not have enough icebreakers and its own production facilities to build them. This was stated in an interview with RBC by the head of the Ministry of Regional Development Alexey Chekunkov.

He pointed out that 34 million tons of cargo were delivered through the NSR last year, the same volume is planned for this year. However, already in 2024 it is expected to double, and by 2031 — to increase to 200 million tons.

The Minister acknowledged that there are no vessels for such transportation not only in Russia, but also in the world as a whole. At the same time, the construction of one tanker takes years, not months, and it is still unknown whether it will be possible to find free shipyards for such a task.

According to Chekunkov, for the development of the icebreaking fleet, it is necessary to talk with the largest partners. Russia can order vessels in India, "a fairly large ocean power," and in China. "Somewhere together we will be able to produce an ice-class fleet in sufficient quantity," the head of the department hoped.

In June 2023, the head of government Mikhail Mishustin said that as part of the creation of a single infrastructure complex for servicing the NSR, it is planned to build more than 50 icebreakers and ice-class vessels. In the next 13 years, about two trillion rubles will be spent for these purposes, of which 600 billion will be federal budget funds.