Arctic shipping hit a record last year, Russian trade data show, and the growth is expected to continue. But the increased trade brings more risk to the region, environmental groups note.
Russia's agency for maritime trade says 9.7 million tonnes of goods were shipped through the Northern Sea Route last year, 33% higher than 2016 and a new record.
The start-up last month of the Yamal LNG export project will add even more volume to the seaborne trade.
