Thirteen crude tankers and two LNG carriers carried exports from Russia to China via the Northern Sea Route up to the end of August.
Figures for transits of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in the first half of the summer-autumn navigation season to published by the Centre for High North Logistics (CHNL) showed 52 transits voyages carrying an estimated 1.3 million tonnes of cargo. The figures include transit voyages started before 31 August but exclude other shorter voyages within the region.
The number of voyages is higher than the same period a year earlier with 45 transits starting before 31 August 2024. However, estimated cargo volume was slightly higher last year at 1.4 million tonnes.
Tankers comprised largest number of transits with a total of 13, followed by 10 voyages each for bulkers and container ships, nine general cargo, two LNG carriers, and eight by other vessel types.
The centre said that it concluded the main cargo flow was eastbound from Russia to China accounting for 97% of shipments, with westbound voyages largely in ballast.
“The primary cargo is crude oil, which accounts for approximately 54% of the total volume,” the report said. Despite western sanctions on Russia crude oil exports due to the Ukraine war China remains a major buyer.
Of the 13 tankers making voyages it was assumed that all nine-heading eastbound were carrying cargo, while the four westbound were in ballast. Of the nine eastbound tankers four departed from Murmansk, two from Ust-Luga, and one each from Primorsk, Kandalaksha, and Arkhangelsk. The tankers were estimated to be carrying 740,000 tonnes of crude oil, and 40,000 tonnes of products.
“Some of the eastbound voyages in this category are still ongoing, but it appears that most of them are heading toward China,” the report noted.
Two LNG carrier voyages were reported departing from the Barents Sea area carrying an estimated 130,000 tonnes of LNG.
There has been an increase in container ship traffic with 10 voyages exclusively between Russia and China. Seven of the voyages were eastbound with six departing from the port of Saint Petersburg and one from Arkhangelsk.
Looking ahead the centre said: “The upcoming months – September, October, and, for some vessels, November represent active period of the NSR transits.”
The NSR is being promoted as a shorter alternative for east – west shipments bypassing the Suez Canal and security issues in the Red Sea, however, requires ice-class vessels and is only navigable during the summer months even with thinning Arctic ice due to climate change.
