The Russian state nuclear energy agency Rosatom has announced that it has agreed with a Chinese shipping company to cooperate on establishing a year-round container cargo transport line in the Arctic zone. The agreement with the Chinese company Hainan Yangpu NewNew Shipping provides for the establishment of a joint venture for the design and construction of container ships and joint operation of the shipping line, Rosatom officials reported.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on Thursday at the annual economic forum in St. Petersburg. Rosatom’s special representative for Arctic development Vladimir Panov stated that this year’s plan anticipates 12 voyages, adding that the companies hope to ultimately ship up to 50 million tons of cargo annually.
– Our main task is to build up to five Arctic-class ships, which will enable the company to operate on the Northern Sea Route year-round – said Panov.
Last year, Rosatom established a joint venture with DP World from Dubai to develop container transport across the Arctic, a route that is opening for traffic due to melting ice in the context of global warming.
Last year, Russian Rosatom transported more than two million tons of transit cargo, which is a ‘record’ amount, said Panov.
– This year we are cooperating with shipowners and we can talk about a new record. We plan to transport up to three million tons of cargo – said Panov.
The CEO and chairman of DP World, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, stated that the Northern Sea Route is an important milestone for shipping as supply chain issues and geopolitical instability show that alternatives to traditional shipping routes are needed.
– But you cannot sell something you do not have – bin Sulayem noted.
