THE REGULATION OF INTERNATIONAL NAVIGATION THROUGH THE NORTHERN SEA ROUTE

Today, the natural resources found and expected in the Arctic region have an increasing value for commercial use resulting from economic, social, geopolitical, industrial, technological, and climate-change factors. That is why the XXI century is sometimes called as a "Century of the Arctic".

The abbreviation NSR stands for the "Northern Sea Route" which was a so-called "national transportation route of the Soviet Union," or "historically developed national transport communication line of the Russian Federation" as it is commonly reflected in historical Soviet and now Russian legislation.

This waterway has played a crucial role in opening up the Arctic for transport and commercial opportunities. It's important role for the international maritime shipping industry, trade and economics is is rapidly increasing. It was effected by significant political changes governing its use and information through history.

This is actually evident by contrasting its period of closed access for sailing by the vessels flying foreign flags in the times of the ex-Soviet Union (thereafter USSR) to its opening for international navigation after the eventual collapse of the USSR...