Russian Ambassador to China: The Northern Sea Route is becoming a link between Russia and China
Igor Morgulov, Russian Ambassador to China, told the Russian Izvestia in an interview that the Northern Sea Route is not only becoming a transport corridor but also a link between the Chinese market and Russia's Arctic region.
Morgulov said, "As we all know, China has already become a participant in our liquefied natural gas production facilities, and other cooperation projects may be implemented in the future. In this context, the Northern Sea Route is not only becoming a transportation channel but also a link connecting the Chinese market with the resources of Russia's Arctic region."
According to Morgulov, China is also interested in the development of the Northern Sea Route.
Morgulov pointed out, "First, the cost of transportation decreases. The journey from China's east coast to North European ports via the Arctic is 15 to 20 days shorter than the traditional route via the Suez Canal. This reduces almost half the time and fuel costs, which is particularly important for high-profit goods."
He also noted that while local suppliers are highly dependent on southern sea routes, they are objectively seeking alternative routes that are less affected by international turbulence and risks in some parts of Asia and the Middle East.
Morgulov concluded, "The demand is reflected in the numbers. In 2024, Chinese shipping companies completed a total of 14 voyages, transporting a total of 176,000 tons of container cargo, with both indicators increasing nearly doubled year-on-year."
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833892054996999/
Disclaimer: The article represents the views of the author.