Northern Sea Route sees record shipping volumes in September

The Northern Sea Route has reached a record number of voyages, with 133 shipments recorded in September. This figure represents a fourfold increase compared to September 2022 and a 46 percent rise from August of the same year.

Nearly half of these voyages were conducted by vessels flying the Russian flag. The route is increasingly being utilized by Chinese ships to reach European markets, allowing them to bypass conflict zones in the Middle East and the Red Sea.

During the first eight months of 2026, delivery volumes rose by 15 percent year-on-year, reaching 24.2 million tons. The route is emerging as a viable alternative for cost optimization and mitigating geopolitical risks, providing Russia with strategic advantages despite existing sanctions.