Russian oil exports by Arctic route jump as freight rates soar, data shows
USO•Russia shipped about 20 million barrels of oil to Asia via the Northern Sea Route from July to mid-October 2026, nearly 50% more than last year. Traders expect exports to rise by another 5 million to 10 million barrels by the end of the navigation period.
1. Arctic route gains use
Russia's oil exports through the Northern Sea Route reached about 20 million barrels from the start of navigation in July to mid-October, nearly 50% above last year's total. Disruptions to routes via the Suez Canal, the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea helped make the Arctic route more attractive despite its higher costs and need for icebreaker assistance.
2. More shipments expected
Traders' preliminary estimates put a further 5 million to 10 million barrels of exports through the route by the end of the navigation period; Russia shipped 13 million barrels during the previous season. Gazprom Neft CEO Alexander Dyukov said the company will increase shipments via the route by about 35% this year compared with 2025.
3. Russian plans for route
Russia also sends significant volumes of LNG and other goods to Asia via the Northern Sea Route. President Vladimir Putin said in September that Russia expects annual cargo turnover on the route to double to 70 million metric tons by the end of the decade. Rosneft's Vostok Oil project is already contributing to rising volumes.
