Russian Policies for the Development of the Northern Sea Route

This book explains Russian policies for developing the Northern Sea Route (NSR), analysing Moscow’s public policy and national and geopolitical considerations in developing national maritime transport routes.

The state’s organizational structure and regulatory framework are analysed to provide a comprehensive review of the participation of the regions of the Russian Arctic in the development of the NSR and the role of public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms. Despite Western sanctions, Russia has continued its steadfast focus on developing the NSR, modifying its policies to keep its flagship project in the Arctic on track. This book assesses whether these goals are viable.

It will be of interest to policymakers, researchers, and scholars specializing in the Arctic, Arctic shipping, the NSR and public policy in the sphere of transport.

Jawahar Bhagwat (https: //orcid.org/0000-0002-8100-9976, jawahar.bhagwat@gmail.com) is Associate Professor, Northern Arctic Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Arkhangelsk, Russian Federation. He is the lead author of the book ’Evolution of India’s Polar Policies’ published online in 2025. His research work focuses on the Northern Sea Route, Arctic geopolitics and India’s national security. Jawahar holds a Candidate of Political Sciences (Ph.D.) from Saint Petersburg State University and a Ph.D. (History) from the University of Mumbai. Captain Jawahar Bhagwat is a veteran submariner of the Indian Navy with over 25 years of service, including the command of a nuclear submarine and two Shishumar (Type 209) class submarines.