Logistics and Its Role in the Exploration and Development of the Arctic

Abstract

The chapter has reviewed both historical and economic tracks of logistics support for the exploration of Arctic projects. More specifically, a comparative analysis of the production capacity of the seaports of the Northern Sea Route allowed the research to identify major dimensions of the further development of maritime transport logistics in the Arctic, broken down to increasing the transit volumes, transshipment of cargo of all types, container transportation, stevedoring, and ship-repair work. While analyzing the prospects of the development of land logistics in the Russian Arctic, it has been figured out that domestic design solutions in combination with a satellite monitoring system possess the maximum economic effect and might contribute to the implementation of national target programs for the development of the Arctic, as well as large commercial projects for the utilization of the resource base of the region. Besides, Russia’s national interests, as well as its adherence to developing international exploration of the Arctic, generally require an increase in the region’s logistics efficiency and induced transit potential to ensure the stability of international economic relations. The comprehensive implementation of federal targeted projects for improving the infrastructure of seaports in the Arctic region might contribute to the intensification of their economic activity, while the instruments of state support for entrepreneurial activity in the Arctic might allow to ensure a competitive level of logistics costs of transportation along the Northern Sea Route.