India Set to Join Northern Sea Route as Rosatom Maps Next Phase of Arctic Shipping

Vladimir Panov, Director for the Development of the Northern Sea Route and the Arctic and Director of the Arctic Directorate, Rosatom State Corporation, said predictability and security are becoming critical for shipping as container traffic rises and international participation expands

India is expected to join the Northern Sea Route next year as international container traffic expands along the Arctic shipping corridor, according to details presented by Rosatom State Corporation at the Eastern Economic Forum 2026.
Vladimir Panov, Director for the Development of the Northern Sea Route and the Arctic and Director of the Arctic Directorate, Rosatom State Corporation, presented the corporation’s plans during the session “International Cooperation in the Arctic: From Strategic Dialogue to Joint Projects.”
Panov addressed the Northern Sea Route’s role in international shipping, with predictability and security among the factors he identified as important for businesses using the corridor.

“Predictability is critical for any business, and the events of the last year have brought security to the forefront. The NSR route runs along the borders of just six countries, and the fact that Russia is responsible for security along 70% of its length creates a unique competitive advantage,” Panov said.
According to information presented at the session, container shipments along the Northern Sea Route increased 2.5 times last year, with another increase projected for the current year.
Chinese partners have moved their pilot routes to regular services, while South Korea is operating a pilot route. India is expected to join the route next year.

Rosatom is also moving towards long term contracts with shipping companies and developing financial and economic models for these arrangements.
Infrastructure and vessel development are another part of the plans. A joint venture involving Rosatom and Chinese company New New Shipping Line is working on the development of high ice class container ships.
Panov also discussed the potential for international cooperation in the Arctic beyond individual logistics projects.
“The Arctic Council was formed on a geographical basis. And the new international format, for which all the necessary conditions have been created, based on pragmatism and economics, creates the preconditions for the emergence of a new international organization,” he said.

The Northern Sea Route stretches more than 5,600 kilometres through the Russian Arctic and forms part of the Trans Arctic Transport Corridor.
According to the information supplied by Rosatom, travel between Asia and Europe through the Northern Sea Route takes approximately 21 days, compared with approximately 31 days through the Suez Canal.
Cargo traffic along the Northern Sea Route has exceeded 37 million tonnes in each of the past two years, with a new cargo volume record planned for 2026.

During the 2025 summer and autumn navigation season, 400,000 tonnes of containerised cargo moved through the route, compared with 176,000 tonnes in 2024.
International container shipments along the Northern Sea Route have also increased from seven in 2023 to 14 in 2024 and 24 in 2025.
The Trans Arctic Transport Corridor is intended to connect rail, road, river and maritime infrastructure with the Northern Sea Route to support cargo movement and logistics.
Development plans for the Arctic shipping corridor also include regular cargo transportation, additional nuclear powered icebreakers and infrastructure upgrades, with Rosatom enterprises participating in these activities.
The Northern Sea Route discussion formed part of the Eastern Economic Forum, an annual platform focused on investment, projects and business activity connected with the Russian Far East.

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