https://arab.news/4fpwb
In a surprising move at this time of year, a tanker from Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project on Wednesday traveled along the Northern Sea Route to markets in Asia even as winter conditions were beginning to set in. Russia transporting liquefied natural gas to Asian markets, particularly China, along its northern coast is hardly unusual. What stands out here is the timing.
Regular commercial traffic on the Northern Sea Route typically tapers off by November as ice conditions worsen, with navigation normally concentrated in the July-November period. Unusually favorable weather this year, combined with Russia’s desperation to generate revenue wherever possible from its energy exports, created conditions for this rare late-season voyage.
This move by Russia should serve as a reminder to international policymakers about the importance of the Arctic and great power competition. With established Arctic powers like the US, the European countries in the High North and Russia being joined by assertive non-Arctic states such as China, the region is being increasingly contested. The Arctic is rich in natural resources, hosting vast reserves of oil and gas. It is also a major source of global food supply through its fisheries and a crucial hub for scientific research aimed at understanding climate patterns and their worldwide impact.
