The State Council Commission on the North Sea Route and the Arctic suggested involving friendly countries in the development of port infrastructure and shipbuilding in the Arctic. This is reported by the Mangazeya portal.

'A proposal to expand and strengthen cooperation with friendly countries in the Arctic by implementing partnership projects in shipbuilding and port infrastructure development—both in Russia and abroad—can be highlighted,' the Murmansk Region Government website stated.

As reported to a correspondent of the Mangazeya News Agency, Igor Levitin, Adviser to the President, Special Presidential Representative for International Cooperation in Transport, Deputy Chairman of the Maritime Board of the Russian Federation, noted that one of the priority tasks for developing the North Sea Route today is ensuring international transit.

Earlier, Yury Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, reported that the capacity of Russian shipyards allows to build 16 ice-class cargo ships by 2030, while there is a deficit of at least 70 ships.

According to Anastasia Vlasova, Expert at the Central Russian Institute of Management (a branch of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration), supporting and developing the Arctic shipping sector and port infrastructure is a strategic priority for Russia. Involving friendly countries could stimulate the development of not only transport but also energy infrastructure, ensuring uninterrupted operations in the harsh Arctic conditions. Willingness to cooperate with friendly states on joint projects could be key to promoting the North Sea Route, contributing to Russia's integration into the global economy and strengthening its position on the international stage.

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