ST. PETERSBURG, April 9. /TASS/. The fee for icebreaker support of ships sailing over the Northern Sea Route should be attractive for shippers, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the Arctic Forum on Tuesday.

"I stress that the task is to make the Northern Sea Route safe and beneficial for shippers. Attractive in terms of service quality and the price. In particular, the fee for icebreaker escort of vessels must be competitive and feasible," Putin said.

The government is investing funds into the relevant sphere in order to minimize the tariff burden of carriers and the business, he noted.

The Russian Arctic fleet will comprise at least 13 heavy line icebreakers, including nine nuclear-powered ones, the President said.