The Russian Direct Investment Fund - being an investment fund of the Russian 
Federation, investing together with foreign investors in Russian assets; 
ROSATOM - the infrastructure operator of the NSR; Norilsk Nickel - the world 
leader in the production of palladium and high-quality nickel, and DP World - 
one of the largest global port and logistics operators have agreed to jointly 
implement a project for the integrated development of the NSR. The 
quadrilateral agreement of intent was signed on June 6, 2019 during the St. 
Petersburg International Economic Forum.

The agreement outlines a comprehensive piece of work which will study of the 
most effective commercial options for the use of the Northern Sea Route. The 
parties intend to create a strategic partnership in the form of a joint venture 
for the development of transit cargo traffic through the NSR. The key objective 
of the project is to increase the volume of freight traffic through the NSR and 
the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.

The document was signed by Dmitriyev Kirill Alexandrovich, Director General of 
the RDPI Management Company, Vladimir Potanin, President of Norilsk Nickel, 
Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, and His Excellency Sultan Ahmed 
Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World (DPW).

For the first stage, the parties to the agreement will have to develop a 
strategy to increase the efficiency of the use of the NSR and to determine ways 
of developing transit traffic. The focus will be on linear transportation of 
containers and other bulk cargo along the Northern Sea Route. It will be 
necessary to determine the amount of funding for the design and construction of 
an additional ice-class fleet and icebreakers, as well as the port 
infrastructure. A separate important area of work: ensuring industrial safety 
and environmental protection in the implementation of transportation along the 
NSR.

The project partners are all world-renowned experts in their field of 
competence. The Russian Direct Investment Fund has many significant 
opportunities to attract foreign capital in the largest investment projects in 
the Russian Federation. ROSATOM is the authorized infrastructure operator of 
the Northern Sea Route and the owner of the world's only nuclear icebreaking 
fleet. "Norilsk Nickel," whose production facilities are located in the Far 
North, have many years of experience and knowledge in the field of logistics 
passing through the NSR. The company provides cargo transportation not only for 
its own needs, but is a key participant in the "northern delivery" in the 
Arctic region of the country. DP World is one of the world's largest and 
recognized global port operators and a leader in global digital supply chain 
solutions that specializes in freight logistics, terminal services and freight 
services.

His Excellency, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said, "DP World is uniquely positioned 
to help drive the development of the NSR. We are excited about the 
possibilities and the benefits this will bring not only to the Russian economy, 
but to customers in Asia and Europe. Our expertise in developing new Ports, 
infrastructure and innovative new supply chain solutions, are key factors in 
our successes over the last few decades. We see enormous potential in NSR and 
look forward to creating new successes with our partners."

The parties agreed to establish a joint working group to conduct an analysis 
and prepare a feasibility study for the project within six months. Subject to 
this work being completed a next stage decision will be made on the further 
development of the project.

"Norilsk Nickel is one of the pioneers in the development of the Arctic, a 
company with unique experience in operating the Northern Sea Route. We will 
share it for the further development of this unique route," noted Vladimir 
Potanin.

Source: DP World