Building a Transport Corridor in the Arctic: The Transformation of the Northern Sea Route

The architecture of global trade is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by geopolitical realignments, the search for supply chain resilience, and the impacts of climate change. In this context, the Northern Sea Route (NSR) along Russia’s Arctic coast has emerged as a potentially pivotal element of future international commerce. This chapter examines the evolution of the NSR through the dual lens of global trade logistics and BRICS-driven cooperation, with a particular focus on China’s expanding role. The analysis, supported by original data on cargo traffic and vessel permits through 2024, reveals a significant post-2022 pivot in the route’s user base, with China consolidating its position as the leading foreign stakeholder. The study systematically outlines Russia’s comprehensive development strategy for the NSR until 2035, identifying critical challenges in infrastructure, financing, and fleet capacity. It argues that overcoming these hurdles is intrinsically linked to international partnership, making cooperation within the BRICS consortium a decisive factor. A key finding is the recent conceptual expansion of the NSR into the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor, signaling a vision to create a seamless multi-modal logistics system. The chapter concludes that the NSR’s potential to reshape Asia-Europe trade dynamics is greater than ever, but its realization hinges on the depth and success of these strategic international alliances.