RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – While the West blocks seaports for Russian ships, a unique alternative has risen. The Northern sea route runs 8,700 miles from Northern Europe to the Asian Pacific coast. It’s covered with thick ice, dangerous and frigid.
Russian seamen are moving to the North pole. The Northern sea route is experiencing fast growth — it offers careers, money, and romance in the Arctic.
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This beсame possible because of the new Project 2220 icebreakers opening the Eastern part of the Northern sea route — for decades, only the Western region was used.
(RT documentary)
They paved a direct path between Northern Europe and Asia, bypassing European seaports. It means open trade for metals, oil, natural gas, and coal in Asian markets for Russia.
For decades, only half of the route was possible, but now the whole way is finally passable. It’s thanks to the new Russian nuclear-powered icebreakers part of Project 2220.
These ice breakers can go through ice 118 inches thick and sail at sea and in estuaries. Previous models were limited by a maximum ice thickness of 89 inches and only river or sea routes.
From now, Project 2220 icebreakers will open new trade routes for Russian metals, coal, natural gas, and oil to the East.
In 2022, the ‘Arctica’ and ‘Siberia’ icebreakers will operate on the Northern sea route. Three more sister ships will be launched in the coming years.
Seamen are lining up to be assigned to the new icebreakers. It is not only about higher salaries and good working conditions but exploring the Arctic, where blank spots still exist.
Join the RT documentary team on the board of ‘Arctica’ to break through Arctic ice!