Arctic 2035: Current Issues, Challenges, Solutions. Quarterly Scientific Journal

Interview with Mikhail N. Grigoryev, Director of the «GECON» Consulting Company; Member of the Scientific Council of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the Study of the Arctic and Antarctic; Member of the Expert Council of the State Council Commission of the Russian Federation on the Northern Sea Route and the Arctic.

The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the historical process of development and the consistent legal consolidation of the status of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as the national transport artery of Russia. Based on a historical and legal retrospective, the key stages are highlighted, reflecting the evolution from the first Pomeranian voyages to the formation of a modern legal architecture regulating navigation in the Arctic. Special attention is paid to the continuity of legal approaches, starting from the norms of Veliky Novgorod and the Moscow Kingdom, through the legislative acts of the Russian Empire and the USSR, to the strategic documents of the Russian Federation. The analysis shows that the legal regulation of the NSR developed in close connection with the geopolitical, economic and military objectives of the state, gradually forming an exclusive legal regime based on the principle of sovereignty.

This article analyzes the strategic transition from the paradigm of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as a linear route to the paradigm of the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor (TATC) as a systemic spatial-economic project. It is shown that this transition reflects not a terminological change, but a profound transformation of managerial, geo- economic, and geopolitical understandings of the Arctic’s role in national and global transport architecture. It examines historical paradigm shifts in the development of Arctic sea lanes, the institutional and infrastructural implications of corridor thinking, the risks and effects at various spatial levels, as well as the international context and the reactions of Arctic and non-Arctic states on the TATC-project. Particular attention is paid to the role of climate change, the development of a specialized fleet, hub ports, and associated transport corridors. It concludes that the TATC is shaping a qualitatively new model for the spatial development of the Russian Arctic.

This article continues the discussion of the challenges and objectives of developing the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor as a key element of the country’s transportation network, which is increasingly assuming and fulfilling the role of a globally significant highway. The purpose of the study is to provide a holistic understanding of the transportation system of the Arctic, North, Siberia, and the Far East as a unified national economic complex addressing vital national development issues and the effective development of space for Russia’s future development. Given the current state of scientific knowledge in the field of transportation science and the rapidly evolving processes of change in all areas of the country’s life, the task of reviving transportation science is crucial. This aim is to study the patterns of sectoral development of the transportation complex and propose solutions to pressing current and long-term challenges.

With growing freight turnover in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF), its integration into the national transport and logistics system is increasing. Increasing traffic volumes and the growing number of interconnected transport hubs are strengthening the links between maritime, rail, road, and air transport. At the same time, the Arctic is gradually emerging as a relatively independent transport system, with its own infrastructure and logistics elements capable of supporting regional transport flows.

The aim of this article is to define the spatial boundaries of the Arctic transport framework of Russia, identify key points of interaction with the country’s main transport framework, and analyze strategic directions for its long-term development through 2050. Particular attention is paid to the institutional and infrastructural factors determining the development of the Arctic transport system.

The relevance of this study is determined by the Arctic’s growing role in the national economy and in the development of new transport and logistics routes. In recent years, particular attention has been paid to developing the transit potential of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as a key element of the Arctic transport framework.

The study found that the icebreaker fleet and coastal infrastructure are the core elements of the Arctic transport framework of Russia. The study substantiates the need to synchronize investments in the development of the icebreaker fleet, port infrastructure, and transport hubs connecting with the national transport system, as well as to take into account the socioeconomic development of Arctic regions.

The article discusses the current challenges and development trends of the Russian Federation’s Arctic transport system in the context of the global transformation of global technological sovereignty.

The purpose of the study is to identify the problem of year-round accessibility of remote Arctic territories and to justify the introduction of all-season ground technologies in the Northern delivery system and the development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Based on the analysis of the pilot route Nizhny Bestyakh — Batagay — Ust-Kuiga — Khayyr, the article reveals the natural and climatic limitations of seasonal winter roads and the impact of risk factors on the transport sustainability of the region. The article substantiates the need to integrate all-terrain vehicles into the country’s transport system and the Northern delivery system.

Method of comparative analysis of the economic efficiency of heavy-duty trucks, aviation, and amphibious all-terrain vehicles «ZVEZDA» was used. It is concluded that the introduction of all-weather innovative transport solutions creates a systemic socioeconomic effect and enhances the potential of the Northern Sea Route as an element of the unified Arctic transport system.

The article aims to highlight key aspects of the sanctions pressure exerted by the policies of the collective West on the development of the Russian Arctic and the Northern Sea Route. At the same time, it emphasizes the crucial role of this major northern transport corridor in overcoming the political and economic blockade imposed by unfriendly countries. The NSR serves as a driver of development for the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. In this context, addressing current challenges related to ensuring safe navigation along the Northern Sea Route is an essential component of mitigating the effects of sanctions. The article examines the measures implemented by the state to transform the NSR into a modern and well-equipped transport corridor. Furthermore, it proposes a set of remedial actions to address deficiencies in navigation, hydrographic, and hydrometeorological services in the Arctic region, with the aim of enhancing the political and economic attractiveness of this key Arctic transport artery.

This article analyzes the role of the Northern Sea Route in shaping the modern model of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the Arctic. Based on the Joint Communique of the 30th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China, held on November 4, 2025, key areas for institutionalizing bilateral cooperation in high latitudes are identified. The purpose of this article is to analyze the content of the Joint Communique and identify key strategic areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the Arctic in the context of plans for the joint development of the Northern Sea Route. Particular attention is paid to the document’s provisions related to enhancing the international competitiveness of the Northern Sea Route as a promising Eurasian transport corridor.

In particular, the article examines the main areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the Arctic, including the development of transport and logistics infrastructure, the integration of the GLONASS and «Beidou» satellite navigation systems, energy cooperation, and the training of specialists for work on ships in polar waters. It is shown that the development of the NSR is viewed by the parties not only as an economic task, but also as an important element of a long-term strategic partnership aimed at creating sustainable transport and logistics links between East Asia, the Russian Arctic, and European markets.

The article analyzes Russian‑Vietnamese economic interaction and the prospects for bilateral cooperation in the Arctic. The relevance of the study is driven by geopolitical shifts, sanctions, and the need to diversify logistics routes and increase trade turnover. The aim is to identify priority areas for Russia‑Vietnam cooperation in the Arctic. Based on an analysis of current trends, joint projects, and the bilateral legal framework, promising areas include: shipping along the Northern Sea Route, container lines through Arctic ports and the Transarctic Transport Corridor, shipbuilding cooperation including ice‑class vessels, hydrocarbon extraction in the Arctic, scientific research and Arctic tourism. The practical significance lies in recommendations for deepening bilateral engagement in the Arctic to ensure sustainable development of economic ties between the two countries.