The embankment of the Chinese port city of Qingdao
Over the past six months, the relationship between Moscow and Beijing has experienced notable changes. The key shift concerns the increased cooperation in transportation and logistics. Both nations are pursuing strategies to advance various modes of freight transport—maritime, rail, road, and air—marking an unprecedented development in Russia-China relations.
October and early November featured a series of important meetings at both governmental and expert levels, coinciding with working visits by Arctic entrepreneurs to China’s coastal provinces. A key focus of these discussions was the collaboration between Russian and Chinese enterprises impacted by U.S. sanctions, infrastructure development along the Northern Sea Route under mutually beneficial conditions, and building practical cooperation in the Arctic through existing and new business relationships, trade, and scientific partnerships expected for 2026.
Arctic Shipping Safety, Mariners’ Lives Protection, Environment Preservation
Following the Russian Prime Minister’s visit to China on November 4, a joint final communiqué was released in which the parties reached an agreement to:
- Enhance collaboration on issues related to the Northern Sea Route, focusing on improving navigation safety, developing polar vessels, training personnel, increasing cargo volumes, and boosting the route’s competitiveness.
This statement indicates Russia and China’s shared desire to foster partnerships in cargo shipping and training specialists for vessel operations along the Northern Sea Route. This initiative is currently underway within Russian national project Efficient Transport System.
However, to date, we can only cite one successful endeavor. Following a pilot voyage along the Northern Sea Route, the operator Sea Legend Shipping has announced intentions to conduct 16 voyages during the summer navigation season of 2026. During the break in Arctic navigation, containers will be routed to southern European ports via the Suez Canal, followed by rail transport to terminals.
- Facilitate railway operations, ensure the consistent movement of container trains, and adopt electronic document management systems.
There is a proven track record in the implementation of electronic document management systems. For instance, rail transport at the Zabaikalsk border crossing is conducted utilising legally recognised electronic documents.
The involved parties may consider the participation of Chinese companies not only in port infrastructure development but also in creating multimodal (mixed) transportation system. The China-Europe Railway Express, which combines maritime, rail, and road transport within its logistics operations, could serve as an exemplary model.
Furthermore, the parties have expressed their commitment to enhancing the convenience and economic viability of maritime, river, and multimodal transportation. It is noteworthy that a river-sea service was launched in September 2025 in the Russian Far East.
- Advance cross-border automated transport, unmanned vehicle technologies, and contemporary logistics solutions.
So far, there is more rhetoric than practical implementation. A few years ago, the idea of utilising unmanned trucks on the newly constructed Blagoveshchensk-Heihe bridge over the Amur River was considered, but the initiative was ultimately put on hold.
It is vital for Russia to create jobs for residents of the Arctic regions, as well as establish favorable living conditions for those residing in the north. The challenge of population outflow from the northernmost areas remains a pressing concern for the nation.
Providing some possible solutions, China suggests involving the automation of work processes, which actually entails machines replacing human workforce. China has successful practices in implementing AI in its production processes, which could be adapted for use in other countries, particularly if port infrastructure is concerned.
The integration of robotics in the Arctic poses a number of challenges, such as the necessity for developing specialised, low-temperature-resistant technologies, alongside the creation of appropriate digital infrastructure and personnel retraining. Nevertheless, the partial adoption of intelligent digital technologies could serve as a foundation for developing Arctic resources and ensuring economic growth.
Independent Expert