What is the Northern Sea Route? ON AUGUST 23RD the Venta Maersk left the Far-Eastern Russian port of Vladivostok on a journey of great significance. Sailing via the East Siberian and Laptev Seas, and due to arrive in St Petersburg on September 27th, the Venta is following a route that marks the latest development in maritime transport in these northern climes. The specially strengthened vessel is the world’s first container ship to venture into the Russian Arctic. The voyage is only a trial. Its aim is to gather data and determine whether the route is feasible, rather than actually to seek a commercial alternative to Maersk’s existing routes. But experts also interpret the venture in light of growing international interest in the...   View more