The crew was transported to the starting point of their route aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy, owned by Atomflot, a company of Rosatom. This icebreaker is one of seven that escorts commercial vessels along the Northern Sea Route (NSR), an Arctic transportation corridor that could significantly impact global supply chains, including those involving Africa.
The pilots flew over the North Pole and ended up in the Western Hemisphere. They selected an ice floe for landing, despite challenging conditions with strong winds and no visible landmarks. Upon landing, they used a satellite phone to report their successful flight and reaching the North Pole. They set up camp and prepared for a day’s drift while awaiting pickup by the 50 Let Pobedy icebreaker. Regular satellite contact and automatic transmission of buoy coordinates ensure their location is monitored. The pilots will be retrieved from the ice floe in a routine operation following established procedures.
Transforming the NSR
Several major transportation corridors are in operation today, including the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), routes via the Suez Canal, Bab-el-Mandeb, and Malacca Strait. New routes are emerging in the Arctic region, such as the Northwest Passage and the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Rosatom aims to transform the NSR into a vital transport route connecting Europe, Russia, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Rosatom State Corporation is a diversified holding company with interests in power engineering, mechanical engineering, and construction. It focuses on developing low-carbon energy generation, including wind power. Rosatom is a global leader in nuclear power generation, accounting for approximately 20% of global output, and holds the largest portfolio of nuclear power plant construction orders worldwide, with 33 units under various stages of implementation across 10 countries. The corporation also produces innovative non-nuclear products, oversees logistics and NSR development, and implements environmental initiatives. Rosatom comprises over 450 enterprises and organizations, employing more than 350,000 people.
