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Story summary
- Russia is allocating 1.8 trillion rubles to develop the Northern Sea Route to 2035.
- IMO banned heavy fuel oil in Arctic waters from 2024 over spill and black-carbon risks.
- Regulatory pressures require Russian icebreaker escorts and permits while sanctions deter European and Chinese investment.
- The route is navigable only mid-summer to mid-autumn, preventing year-round use before 2100.
