Russia is moving forward with plans to build 24 dredging vessels for its Arctic fleet, with construction set to begin in 2027. The initiative, led by Rosatom and the Ministry of Transport, aims to ensure navigation safety in the northern seas, according to Presidential Aide and Chair of the Maritime Board, Nikolai Patrushev.

During a working trip to Chukotka, Patrushev emphasized the critical importance of this project for Russia, given its major Arctic ports and the world’s most extensive network of inland waterways.

“Currently, Rosmorrechflot and its subordinate agency, Rosmorport, operate 199 dredging vessels with an average age of 30-35 years,” Patrushev stated. “Furthermore, the lack of a dedicated dredging fleet within Rosatom state corporation’s divisions hampers the execution of major dredging projects in Russia’s Arctic zone.”

He also noted that for the past two decades, approximately 95% of dredging work was outsourced to foreign firms.

“The withdrawal of companies from unfriendly countries has significantly exacerbated the challenge of maintaining safe conditions in Arctic ports and waterways,” Patrushev said.

Looking ahead to 2030, an estimated 30 million cubic meters of dredging will be required along the Northern Sea Route alone. Meeting this target, the Presidential Aide added, will require a fleet of at least 15 dredgers and support vessels.

“To address this, the demand for a modern dredging fleet must be integrated into the organizational, financial, and economic model of the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor,” Patrushev concluded. “We plan to collaborate with the Ministry of Transport in 2026 on the design and development of new dredging equipment capable of operating in the mouths of northern rivers, with the construction of 24 vessels to follow starting in 2027.”