The Northern Sea Route: will it be the route of the XXI centure?

CARDINAL PROBLEMS

Boris Usanov,
Professor

         The fact that the development of the Arctic transportation system in this century was discussed in St. Petersburg at the international forum is very appropriate. For it was here that Mikhail Lomonosov first scientifically explained and theoretically proved the possibility of passing from the Atlantic to the Pacific by the Northern Sea Route in the 18th century. And in our times, due to the research of the Polar Marine Prospecting Expedition enterprise, we can add an area of 1.5 million square kilometers of the continental shelf of the Arctic Ocean, which is extremely rich in resources,to the jurisdiction of Russia. Experts from the Malachite engineering company in our city are working on the project of an underwater Arctic transportation system that includes an underwater tanker. Yes, it is seven times more expensive than an above-water tanker, but designers are convinced that two such tankers can replace eleven Samotlor-type above-water tankers thanks to their speed, efficiency and other properties. Large expenses are certainly inevitable, especially at the beginning, but designers suggest a reduction of cost due to "demobilization" of many submarines no longer used by the armed forces. Besides, there is a large reserve of military submarine bodies, which are very unlikely to ever be used as submarines.
         One can give many more examples showing that the cardinal problems of the Arctic transportation system development are being solved in St. Petersburg. This will make it possible to significantly add to both local and federative budjets by restoring shipment volumes to the Northern regions (which have been reduced to a third over the past few years).