Why Russia's Northern Sea Route, the shortest maritime route between Asia and Europe, is a risk for global trade — and the environment
Key takeaways
- Russia wants its Northern Sea Route to become an important artery of global trade.
- Russian officials are promoting the Northern Sea Route (NSR), an Arctic sea lane running along their country's northern coast.
- It is the shortest maritime route between Asia and Europe.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Russia wants its Northern Sea Route to become an important artery of global trade. However, the Arctic shortcut between Europe and Asia is fraught with both political and environmental hurdles.
https://p.dw.com/p/5D1w GRussian energy resources account for more than 80% of cargo on the Northern Sea Route Image: Denis Pomortsev/Zoonar/picture alliance Advertisement The Iran war and resulting blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have focused minds on international shipping. Russian officials are promoting the Northern Sea Route (NSR), an Arctic sea lane running along their country's northern coast. President Vladimir Putin said in April the route's importance as "the most safe, reliable and efficient path is becoming ever more obvious."
It is the shortest maritime route between Asia and Europe. But it's frozen for much of the year, and comes with significant political considerations. DW asked an environmental foundation which has studied the route — how realistic is this vision of the NSR as a new major shipping passage?