June 1 2026
South Korean authorities are interested in container shipping along the NSR
Mr. Alexey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, reported this to TASS news agency. He stated that the Republic of Korea will be able to use the Northern Sea Route as a year-round route by 2035.
“I think they’ll transition to year-round regular service, once it becomes a normal route for them, around 2035. Time flies, so with their drive, consistency, and industrial and financial capabilities, I am confident it will happen. We will certainly be the beneficiaries of this process,” he said.
South Korea plans to open a regular service to Europe via the Northern Sea Route by 2030.
As a reminder, on May 7, 2026, the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea passed a special law on the Northern Sea Route. The law provides for the establishment of the Arctic Shipping Route Commission under the Prime Minister’s Office and the development of a five-year baseline plan—including icebreaker container ship construction technologies, hub port development, R&D, and the training of polar specialists by 2030. By 2030, a National Port Basic Plan is also planned to be adopted, linking infrastructure to the characteristics of major ports.
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