MOSCOW, November 6. /TASS/. The safety and reliability of navigation along the Northern Sea Route should be substantially increased, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the launch ceremony of the Chukotka general-purpose nuclear-powered icebreaker.

"In general, we need to significantly enhance the safety and reliability of navigation in this region. To this end, we will continue to improve the quality of satellite navigation, communications, and ice situation monitoring; [we] will upgrade the Arctic ports' infrastructure and lay the required rail lines to them," the president said.

In particular, this refers to expanding and strengthening the capacity of both short-distance and long-distance rail connections to the Murmansk Hub and the construction of the North Latitudinal Railroad, with future-proof connections to ports in Yamal, Taimyr, and the northern Krasnoyarsk Region.

The head of state wished the shipbuilders and other participants in Russian Arctic projects with further productive efforts and new great achievements to the benefit of the country.