Russia has begun shipping crude oil via its Arctic sea route this year at a faster pace than a year ago, with seven cargoes carrying some 6 million barrels of crude already
Russia has begun shipping crude oil via its Arctic sea route this year at a faster pace than a year ago, with seven cargoes carrying some 6 million barrels of crude already heading to Asia, according to three trade sources and LSEG shipping data.
The Northern Sea Route, which links Russia's western ports with Asian markets through Arctic waters, is typically open from July 1 until October 1 each year.
Russia is speeding up usage of the route as it enables its cargoes to reach China and other parts of Asia without transiting waters where tankers face inspections, detentions or other restrictions by European authorities linked to Ukraine-related sanctions on Russia.
The volume, equivalent to about 850,000 metric tons of oil, already represents nearly half of the roughly 13 million barrels shipped via the Arctic route during the whole of last year's navigation season, according to data from Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, which oversees the NSR.
Crude shipments through the route declined 4% year-on-year in 2025.
Rosatom declined to comment.
ARCTIC ROUTE CUTS JOURNEY TIME TO ASIA
Traders said China, the main destination for Russian crude shipped via the route, could further increase purchases if disruptions to Middle Eastern
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