Following on December 17's Norway, The Icy Tip Of The NATO Spear: "Russia uses hybrid threats on Svalbard".
Two from gCaptain. First up, December 18:
China significantly expanded its use of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in 2025, completing 14 container ship voyages between Asia and Europe, up from 11 such voyages in 2024 and seven in 2023. The latest figures underscore a steady rise in Chinese-led container activity along the Arctic corridor.
The increase reflects growing confidence among Chinese operators in the seasonal Arctic route, which shortens the distance between northern China and Europe compared to traditional passages via the Suez Canal.
Shipping companies NewNew Shipping Line and Sea Legend have already signaled plans to further expand their Arctic container offerings in 2026, aiming to add sailings and improve schedule reliability during the limited summer navigation window....
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And December 16:
Russia has, for the first time, deployed its entire fleet of eight nuclear-powered icebreakers simultaneously to maintain winter shipping lanes in the Gulf of Ob and the Yenisei Gulf, underscoring the strategic importance of Arctic energy exports.
The unprecedented deployment is focused on ensuring the flow of oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and mineral cargoes from Russia’s Arctic production regions, including the Arctic Gate oil terminal, Yamal LNG, and Norilsk Nickel.
Nuclear icebreakers Taymyr, Yamal, Arktika, Yakutiya, Sibir, and 50 Let Pobedy are currently operating in the Gulf of Ob, while Ural and Vaygach are assigned to the Yenisei Gulf and the Yenisei River, supporting traffic serving ports and terminals deep inside Siberia.
Russia’s nuclear icebreaker complement includes two unique shallow-draft vessels, Taymyr and Vaygach, which were specifically designed to operate in Arctic river estuaries. Their ability to break ice in restricted waters makes them essential for keeping export routes open from inland terminals during winter.
The current fleet also includes two nuclear icebreakers from the original Arktika class: Yamal and 50 Let Pobedy....
....MUCH MORE
It's that last one, 50 years of victory that is the one you want coming for you should you find yourself trapped at the North Pole in the Arctic winter night.
As noted in a 2021 post, "Rescue Mission: The Fifteen Ships Caught In the Arctic Ice May Soon Have Icebreaker Assistance":
...the icebreaker Rosatom has positioned in the East Siberian Sea is the one ship in the entire world that you want standing by, the 25,168 tonnes displacement 50 Let Pobedy. [Fifty Years of Victory]:
Although the new Arktika-class ships are heavier, 33,000 tonnes, Fifty Years of Victory has proven ability to break through 5 metres (16 feet) of ice. Meaning it could get to the North Pole in the dead of winter if needed.
The picture above was taken in summer - note sunlight.
And most recently, a sidebar to December 11's "Norway buys more subs for 'turbulent times' in the North Atlantic":
Shadow tanker blocked by Arctic sea ice
