China refuses to supply Russia with technology required for arctic-class ships

According to Russia’s Central Marine Research and Design Institute (CNIIMF), the delivery of Chinese propulsion and steering for large-tonnage ice-class vessels can only be possible “if pressure from sanction eases”.

Russia lacks the capacity to manufacture its own propulsion systems for such ships.

CNIIMF estimated that Russian companies require at least 10 oil tankers, five liquid natural gas (LNG) carriers, three universal bulk carriers, two gas condensate tankers, and three liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers by 2030.

All of them must meet the highest Arc7 ice class rating to operate year-round in the Arctic.

Russian shipyards practically do not build large-tonnage ice-class vessels.

CNIIMF director Alexander Buyanov said the problems stem not only from insufficient shipyard capacities but also from the lack of necessary equipment: domestic equipment is unavailable, Western equipment is under sanctions, and Chinese alternatives are tied to sanctions restrictions.

“Back in 2018, at the start of his fourth term, [dictator] Vladimir Putin set an ambitious goal to turn the Northern Sea Route into a bustling trade artery,” the outlet wrote. “The route runs from the Kara Strait to the Bering Strait, crossing five Arctic seas over a distance of 5,600 kilometers.”

“Under Putin's plan, cargo traffic along the route from Asia to Europe and back was supposed to reach 80 million tons annually by 2024, and 200 million tons by 2030.”

In reality, only 37.9 million tons were transported in 2024, and 37.02 million tons in 2025.

South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries reported in June of 2025, that two orders from Russia's Zvezda worth a total of $3.54 billion for icebreaker ships were cancelled due to "illegal termination by the shipowner”.