ST. PETERSBURG, April 1. /TASS/. The Northern Sea Route and the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor may experience increased traffic in the coming years, Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) said in a video address to participants of the International Transport and Logistics Forum.

In this regard, the organization's Secretary-General called for increased attention to the environmental protection of Arctic waters.

He noted Russia's contribution to the IMO which shares its shipping expertise with other countries.

The Northern Sea Route is a shipping route and the main sea line in the Russian Arctic sector. The route’s length is 5,600 km from the Kara Strait to the Providence Bay.

The Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor is a route connecting Russia's eastern and western parts, the ports of St. Petersburg and Vladivostok, through the northern seas, the ports of Murmansk and Arkhangelsk. It is designed to connect the world's industrial, agricultural, energy centers and consumer markets with a shorter, safer and economically-attractive route.

The International Transport and Logistics Forum is under way from April 1 to 3, 2026, in St. Petersburg. It aims to develop international transport and logistics corridors and strengthen integration ties. Participants will discuss the digitalization of the industry and the use of unmanned technologies. The forum is sponsored by the Russian Transport Ministry with the support of the government, and the Roscongress Foundation is the event operator.

TASS is the general information partner.