Russia claims Northern Sea Route is safe from piracy

The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that the Northern Sea Route (NSR) offers a significant advantage over other cargo shipping routes due to the absence of piracy in Arctic waters. Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the European Affairs Department, noted that the route is safer and more environmentally friendly than alternatives.

According to officials, transporting goods from Asia to Europe via the NSR takes approximately half the time required when using the Suez Canal. This potential efficiency, combined with rising piracy concerns in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, has increased interest in the Arctic waterway as a secure alternative.

The NSR is a strategic route running along Russia's northern coast. Data from the Russian Ministry for the Development of the Far East indicates that cargo traffic along the route has grown nearly tenfold over the last decade. Shipments reached 37 million tonnes in 2025, with 24.2 million tonnes recorded in the first eight months of 2026.