EventAccording to the Centre for High North Logistics (CHNL), 104 confirmed commercial transits were recorded on Russia’s Northern Sea Route (NSR) by 30 September 2026, surpassing the 103 voyages of the whole 2025 season. Cargo volume on those transits was estimated at 3.7 million tonnes, with the combined deadweight of vessels increasing 26 % to 7.8 million DWT. The surge coincides with the European Union’s renewed emphasis on Arctic maritime access, security and infrastructure protection, though it does not signify any legal change to the route’s status.
Northern Sea Route cargo volumes rose 18% year‑on‑year to 31.7 million tonnes in Jan‑Sep 2026, driven by Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 operations and a higher number of through‑voyages, including Chinese and South Korean vessels.
Commercial transits on Russia’s Northern Sea Route exceeded 2025 levels in the 2026 season, with 104 voyages and 3.7 million tonnes of cargo, as the EU pursues broader Arctic maritime access and security measures.
Russia’s Northern Sea Route saw record‑setting traffic, with 104 confirmed transits and 3.7 million tonnes of cargo by September 30, per Norway’s Centre for High North Logistics.
Commercial voyages through Russia’s Northern Sea Route already surpassed 2025 totals by September 2026, with cargo volumes up 15% and tanker, bulk and container traffic expanding as ice conditions improve, indicating a record season for Arctic shipping.
