On October 14, 2024, at the OMR 2024 conference CEO of Petrobalt, design bureau, the main activity of which is the development of technical and operational designs of ships for various purposes, announced the development of a new vessel for northern supply delivery. This vessel will enable significant savings of 3 to 5 billion rubles (31 to 52 million dollars) during year-round navigation by replacing 10-15 existing ships with 4-5 new ones.

The vessel has been designed for year-round service in Arctic and northern regions. It will be capable of transporting twenty-foot and forty-foot containers, bulk cargo, fuel, food, and building materials. Furthermore, the vessel will be responsible for the disposal of waste materials and the provision of emergency evacuation for personnel.

It is said that the vessel can assist in firefighting and oil spill response. Its modular cargo holds can be customized for various transport needs.

An economic assessment showed that using these new vessels could lead to substantial savings. The payback period for the project is estimated to be between 12 and 18 years, depending on construction costs (14.5 to 17 billion rubles — 151 to 0 million dollars) and favorable financing conditions. 

Northern Delivery is a set of actions to provide residents of hard-to-reach territories of the Far North with vital goods, food, medicines and other goods intended for the implementation of investment projects in these same hard-to-reach areas.

Northern Delivery is essential for the development of the Arctic as it ensures the timely supply of vital goods, such as food, fuel, and construction materials—to remote communities. This support is crucial for sustaining local economies, fostering job creation, and enhancing the overall quality of life in these harsh environments, especially during the winter months.

Source: Korabel and Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of Russia.

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