Russia says, "Arctic shipping route may be available year-round as early as next year"

Freezing period reduced to within 2 months... Freezing sections likely to disappear soon
EU Commission preparing statement to restrict Arctic gas and oil development

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Russian government has announced that it will begin year-round, continuous use of the Arctic route as early as next year, accelerating the development of the Arctic Ocean. Expectations are rising that gas transportation from the Yamal Peninsula in the Arctic Ocean, Russia's largest natural gas reserve, will become smoother, potentially alleviating some of Europe's energy supply issues. However, security concerns regarding Russia's Arctic expansion, raised mainly by the United States and the European Union (EU), have led to movements aimed at restricting Arctic development under the pretext of addressing global warming.

On the 11th (local time), Yuri Trutnev, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, appeared on the state broadcaster Rossiya 24 and stated, "Starting next year or 2023, we plan to begin year-round continuous transportation on the Arctic route," emphasizing, "We will invest more than $15 billion (approximately 18 trillion won) in the Arctic route to actively promote its development."

According to Russia's TASS news agency, the Arctic route has been difficult to operate year-round because ice in the winter months blocked the route for more than four months. However, due to global warming last year, the ice-covered period shortened to less than two months, making full year-round operation possible from next year or the year after.

In particular, TASS reported that if the gas plants on the Yamal Peninsula, located in the central part of Russia's Arctic territory and the largest natural gas reserve, are continuously connected to Europe via the Arctic route, it will help alleviate Europe's chronic gas shortage. Many Eastern European countries, as well as Central European countries such as Germany and Austria, rely heavily on Russia for gas used in winter heating and power generation.

However, the United States and the EU are concerned about Russia accelerating Arctic development. They argue that Arctic development could further exacerbate global warming and threaten the security of areas adjacent to the Arctic Ocean under U.S. and EU influence. Accordingly, the EU Commission is reportedly preparing a new strategy proposal to restrict Russia's Arctic development.

According to Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), the EU Commission is preparing a joint statement urging the limitation of imports of gas, oil, and coal produced in the Arctic and calling for a halt to Arctic development, targeting EU member states. However, Nikkei reported that due to significant disagreements among member states, it will be difficult to implement realistic restrictive measures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.