Russia to send nuclear-powered cargo ship on Arctic shipping route

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http://www.adn.com/article/20160314/russia-send-nuclear-powered-cargo-ship-arctic-shipping-route



The Russian nuclear-powered cargo ship Sevmorput, shown here in an undated photo, is set to sail the Northern Sea Route through the Arctic from Murmansk to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky later in 2016.

Russia to send nuclear-powered cargo ship on Arctic shipping route
Malte Humpert | High North News
March 14, 2016

Russia’s Rosatom is to send nuclear-powered cargo ship Sevmorput through the Northern Sea Route this summer as part of a strategic effort to boost traffic, especially container shipping, on the route.

However, shortcuts through the Arctic have been in low demand as shipping companies enjoy record-low fuel costs favoring traditional routes.

The Sevmorput, the world’s only operational nuclear container ship, sports significant icebreaking capabilities and according to Rosatom will play a key role in transporting troops, military personnel and equipment destined for Russia’s new and upgraded bases throughout the high Arctic. In addition, the vessel is expected to transport lead and zinc from the new Pavolvsk mine on Novaya Zemlya and assist with heavy lifting requirements of the Russian Arctic oil industry.

The vessel is expected to sail from Mumansk to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, to explore the feasibility of utilizing the route. So far it’s undecided whether it will complete the voyage from mid-July to early September, as favored by the Corporation of Development of Kamchatka or from October to November, as advocated by Rosatom.