Arkhangelsk will become a digital gateway to the Arctic: a new deepwater port will restart logistics
A large-scale construction of a new port is starting in Arkhangelsk, which should become a benchmark for digital logistics in the Arctic. By 2030, a deep-sea marine hub will be built here, capable of handling up to 25 million tons of cargo annually. It is created by analogy with the leaders of the global port industry — Chinese Tianjin and Ningbo Zhoushan.
The new port will appear in the Kuiby area and will serve vessels with a displacement of up to 75 thousand tons. Thanks to year-round navigation, Arkhangelsk will be able to become a key northern hub, providing stable access to the World Ocean. At the same time, the authorities plan to modernize the existing infrastructure: the construction of a fish terminal in Maimaks, the renovation of facilities in the area of "Economy" and the restoration of river communication.
Alexander Tsybulsky, Governor of the Arkhangelsk Region, emphasizes that the project is not just logistics, but a growth point for the region's economy. He will create dozens of orders for shipbuilding enterprises and give a boost to the industry.
Special attention is paid to digital transformation. The new port will have a full online cargo clearance system in 24 hours, access to data for all participants, high transparency and efficiency. This will make Arkhangelsk the leader in technological efficiency among the Arctic ports.
The location also plays into our hands — the climate here is milder than in the Arctic, which means that operating costs are lower. In the last five years, the region has been showing rapid growth: cargo turnover has increased 1.3 times, and export-import shipments have tripled. In 2023, the record for container shipments was broken — 230 thousand tons, which is 30 times higher than in 2017.
The Arctic Express No. 1 project has already shown real efficiency: in 2024, more than 13,000 containers were shipped to China. Experts point out that it is the proximity to the European part of Russia that makes Arkhangelsk particularly attractive: flows flow in both directions, which increases efficiency and reduces costs.
The key task remains to integrate with Russian Railways systems and create a reliable digital infrastructure. This is critical for container shipping, where every minute is important.
The port's development is also seen as a driver of the social sphere: job growth, investment in healthcare, education, and the urban environment. State support is already taking shape — the Capital of the North priority development area is expanding, and measures are being developed to localize building materials.
By 2030, Arkhangelsk plans to become the main hub of the Northern Sea Route, increasing cargo turnover by almost five times. This strategic direction will allow Russia to strengthen its logistical independence, especially against the background of geopolitical challenges.
As part of international cooperation with China on the Arctic Express project, flights along the Northern Sea Route are already underway, and transit traffic to Europe will begin soon. This not only speeds up logistics between the two continents, but also makes Russia the central link of the new Arctic transport system.
