Today, the Governor of the Murmansk Region, Andrey Chibis, took part in the conference "The Northern Sea Route - 365?" within the framework of the XII International Forum "The Arctic: Present and Future" in St. Petersburg. The two-day conference is dedicated to discussing the prospects and conditions for the transition to year-round navigation.
On the first day of the event, Governor Andrey Chibis made a report on the prospects for the development of marine infrastructure in the Murmansk region and additional opportunities that the region will receive from the launch of year-round navigation.
The Governor stressed that the Murmansk region is strategically important for the whole country.
"The region is the base for the world's only and most powerful nuclear icebreaker fleet. Of particular importance is the logistical potential of the city of Murmansk, which is the main home port for specialized and scientific vessels, floating drilling rigs, raid terminals and rescue vessels. Attracting additional investments, developing transport infrastructure, creating a comfortable urban environment – these are the measures that will create good living conditions and ensure the economic development of the entire region," the governor said.
There are two preferential business regimes in the Murmansk Region – the TOP "Capital of the Arctic" and the Russian Arctic. A total of 222 residents work under these regimes.
"Only in the last four years, although two lived in covid restrictions, now – in the regime of strict restrictions of sanctions pressure, GDP in the Murmansk region per capita has increased 2.5 times. The volume of investments in our economy actually amounted to 900 billion rubles," the head of the region said.
The Governor stressed that the MTU project is in the final phase. The launch of the working traffic on the new railway over the Tuloma bridge, which will double the volume of cargo handling in the port of Murmansk, is scheduled for December 15.
The first resident of the TOP, NOVATEK Murmansk, has created the world's first unique Center for the construction of large–capacity offshore structures on the shore of the Kola Bay, where natural gas liquefaction lines for the Arctic LNG 2 plant are currently being assembled. The construction of the third line has recently begun, and the concrete base is being poured. Recall that in July 2023, the first line of the Arctic LNG 2 plant was sent to the Gulf of Ob. The ceremonial start was given by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to the Murmansk region in July this year. The 1st natural gas liquefaction line at the OGT has already been delivered to Yamal.
In February 2023, the Russian government approved the expansion of the boundaries of the territory of advanced socio-economic development "Capital of the Arctic". The order was signed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. It is planned to build a container terminal for international transit sea freight on the new sections of the TOP.
It was noted at the conference that one of the key conditions to be fulfilled to ensure year–round navigation of the Northern Sea Route is the construction of a sufficient number of icebreakers and high-ice class vessels in the conditions of import substitution, sanctions pressure, personnel and financial challenges.
The Governor of the Murmansk Region noted that a marketing study of the ship repair market has been completed in the region. The design of a cluster-type ship repair facility in Murmansk will begin in 2024.
"The Northern Sea Route and logistics are the key areas of development of the Murmansk region. To do this, we fought for the financing of the MTU project, fought for what has already been implemented and largely completed today, for a new port. And of course, this is necessary if the Northern Sea Route is to be actively developed," the head of the region shared at the end of the session.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /
Photo: press service of the XIII International Forum "The Arctic: present and future"