Arctic set for summer surge of Russian crude tankers, say analysts

Two tankers hauling crude on the Northern Sea Route (NSR) are likely to be the first of many this summer as Russia presses ahead with plans to exploit its Arctic oil resources, say analysts.

The 111,100-dwt NS Arctic (built 2009) and 114,000-dwt Primorsky Prospect (built 2010) were following the 60 MW nuclear-powered ice-breaker Sibir (built 2022) on Friday heading towards eastern China.