Transport Connectivity: The Arctic, Far East, Siberia, and the Urals

KEY CONCLUSIONS

Transport connectivity with other regions is of great importance for the development of the Arctic

“In the context of the transport system development in the Arctic, the issue of connectivity between the regions of the Arctic, the Far East, the Urals, Siberia assumes great importance <...>. These interconnections will fundamentally influence the rate of economic development, the comfort of living and effect of the projects being implemented there,” Vladislav Onishchenko, Head, Analytical Centre for the Government of the Russian Federation.

Integrated development of transport infrastructure in the Arctic is essential

“Only through comprehensive development of the transport infrastructure, we are to ensure habitability of the northern regions, develop the base points of the Northern Sea Route: Dikson, Khatanga, Dudinka,” Sergei Menyailo, Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy in the Siberian Federal District. 

“Today, the Belkomur project is a synergistic partnership that consolidates three projects, and when generally speaking about the development of the Arkhangelsk seaport, we can name four that have a resolution passed: the Northern Latitudinal Railway, the Murmansk transport hub, the military production and logistics centre in Arkhangelsk,” Vladimir Shchelokov, Chief Executive Officer, Interregional Company Belkomur.

International transport cooperation makes good headway

“Despite sanctions in place, Europe is an important partner for Russia <...>. The international dialogue is flourishing,” Tero Vauraste, Chairman, Arctic Economic Council; President, Mariadi Oy.

“Japan is the eastern gate of the NSR, and our government is interested in developing communication between our countries,” Kansuke Nagaoka, Ambassador in charge of Policy Planning and International Security Policy, Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Problems

The lack of a legislative framework for the development of the Arctic region

“Today there is no consolidated law; we need system-forming laws on the development of the Arctic region. Let's call it a Polar Code and incorporate all statutes in it,” Nikolay Kharitonov, Chairman of the Committee for Regional Policy and Issues of the North and Far East, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

Underdeveloped transport infrastructure 

“Today, the volume that needs to be exported is incomparable with the capacity [of infrastructure – Ed.],” Sergei Menyailo, Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy in the Siberian Federal District.

Disparities in port dues rates

“The main issue of the Arkhangelsk port is its inequality in terms of port charges. Today, the difference with the ports of the western Arctic – primarily Murmansk and the Baltic – is up to three times. A ship-owner, when they choose a port is unlikely to be willing to pay three times as much,” Alexey Alsufyev, First Deputy Governor, Chairman of the Government of the Arkhangelsk Region.

Lack of competencies in a public-private partnership

“The problem is competencies that are lacking on both sides, the state and business,” Pavel Seleznev, Chairman, Public-Private Partnership Development Centre; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Avtodor-Invest.

Solutions

Construction of transport infrastructure and shipping development in the Arctic

“We have developed two aircraft in Siberia, TVS-2MS and TVS-2DTS. There is nothing like them, they are very competitive,” Sergei Menyailo, Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy in the Siberian Federal District.

“Everything old is new again: the delivery of goods to transport and logistics centres, the development of the NSR shipping, life support <...>. It is the Irtysh—Ob Gulf—NSR <...> in Western Siberia, the Yenisei River in Eastern Siberia <...>. We have direct access to the Yenisei Gulf and the Gulf of Ob,” Sergei Menyailo, Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy in the Siberian Federal District.

Improvement of railway assess to the seaport of Arkhangelsk can generate additional cargo volume of 15—17 million tons. This is the northern part of the Belkomur railway from Syktyvkar to Arkhangelsk. We need to start working on it soon, <...> minimal state support is needed, private investors are to fund the railroad line construction,” Alexey Alsufyev, First Deputy Governor, Chairman of the Government of the Arkhangelsk Region. 

Digitalization of the transportation industry

“Since 2017, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation has initiated the engineering of a Unified Protected Information and Telecommunication System of the Transport Complex of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (EZISTK). Arkhangelsk Region houses the pilot project of this system,” Dmitriy Repin, Project Manager, Unified Protected Information and Telecommunication System of the Transport Complex of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation

“In addition to the NSR, telecommunication backbone of about 23 thousand kilometres of fibre optic cable is the foundation of transport and logistics routes,” Igor Malygin, Director, Solomenko Institute of Transport Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Implementation of cross-border projects

“Cross-border cooperation and projects are one of those advanced stories we can rely on in the years to come <...>. We should focus on mutually beneficial projects,” Yulia Zvorykina, Director, Institute for Research and Examination of Vnesheconombank.