Trade between China and Russia dominates the Northern Sea Route
Shifting dynamics along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) highlight an increase in bilateral transit between China and Russia, while voyages from Western nations have collapsed due to sanctions and geopolitical risks stemming from the war in Ukraine.
In 2019 there were 21 transits accross the NSR
involving 12 different countries ...
NORTHERN SEA ROUTE TRIPS
ORIGIN
DESTINATION
2019
Russia 6
China 8
China 5
Russia 3
South Korea
Germany 3
4
Sweden 2
Denmark 2
Japan 2
Netherlands 1
UK 1
Vietnam 1
Canada 1
Denmark 1
Germany 1
Norway 1
... while in 2025, voyages between Russia and
China accounted for 85% of all international
transits.
2025
China 28
Russia 33
Russia 27
China 25
South Korea
South Korea
2
6
UK 1
In 2019 there were 21 transits accross the NSR
involving 12 different countries ...
NORTHERN SEA ROUTE TRIPS
COUNTRY
OF ORIGIN
COUNTRY OF
DESTINATION
2019
Russia 6
China 8
China 5
Russia 3
Germany 3
South Korea 4
Sweden 2
Denmark 2
Japan 2
Netherlands 1
UK 1
Vietnam 1
Canada 1
Denmark 1
Germany 1
Norway 1
... while in 2025, voyages between Russia and
China accounted for 85% of all international
transits.
2025
China 28
Russia 33
Russia 27
China 25
South Korea
2
South Korea 6
UK 1
In 2019 there were 21 transits accross the NSR involving 12 different countries ...
NORTHERN SEA ROUTE TRIPS
COUNTRY
OF ORIGIN
COUNTRY OF
DESTINATION
2019
Russia 6
China 8
China 5
Russia 3
Germany 3
South Korea 4
Sweden 2
Denmark 2
Japan 2
Netherlands 1
Vietnam 1
UK 1
Canada 1
Denmark 1
Norway 1
Germany 1
... while in 2025, voyages between Russia and China accounted for 85% of all international
transits.
2025
China 28
Russia 33
Russia 27
China 25
South Korea 6
South Korea 2
UK 1
