Nikolai Patrushev held a meeting on ensuring Russia’s national interests in the Arctic

It was noted that the comprehensive development of the seaport of Murmansk and the Murmansk transport hub was one of the key areas of focus in implementing the Strategy for the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and Ensuring National Security for the Period up to 2035.

The need to ensure a significant increase in freight carriage along the Northern Sea Route to implement the tasks assigned by President of Russia Vladimir Putin was emphasised.

Instructions were issued to create an effective tariff model for a year-round use of the Northern Sea Route.

A priority was given to upgrading the infrastructure and development of the ports on the Northern Sea Route, including the Murmansk port as a multi-mode transport hub. Increasing port capacities was considered, taking into account new international transport corridors and the redirection of freight flows from other Russian ports.

Other issues under discussion included increasing the construction of modern Russian freighters, including ice-class vessels, at Russian shipyards, and problems related to the upgrading and retooling of shipbuilding and ship repair facilities. Additional measures were proposed to improve the financial and economic condition of shipbuilding plants.

During his working trip to the Murmansk Region, Nikolai Patrushev Patrushev NikolaiAide to the Presidentalso visited the Atomflot icebreaker base, toured local shipbuilding facilities, and inspected potential sites for a new shipyard.

During his visit to the Northern Fleet base, the presidential aide discussed issues related to protecting Russia's national interests in the Arctic and the social security of military personnel with the naval command authorities. Nikolai Patrushev met with the crew of the fourth-generation Emperor Alexander III nuclear-powered undersea cruiser, the third batch-produced vessel of the Borei-A project. The cruiser was handed over to the Russian Federation Navy in December 2023.