Review of schemes for transport-geographical zoning of the Arctic water area

Abstract

The retrospective and modern schemes for geographic and transport zoning of the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route are examined. The historical research method, which consists in identifying and analyzing documented facts, historical processes and their logic in terms of clarifying development, is used. There are several stages in the formation of zones and areas in the waters of the Arctic seas. The time period chosen for the review is from the beginning of the 19th century to the present in chronological order. International relations, national legal and natural conditions, and country characteristics are taken into account. The evolution of the organizational structure for managing the operation of the transport system of the Northern Sea Route, from the creation of the first administration to the present day, is considered. The countries of the Arctic Council have not yet developed a uniform approach to such tasks as the classification of ice (ice conditions) and requirements for the design of a vessel (ship ice class). Most countries use the definitions from the Polar Code. Individual countries apply their own rules and classification. The Russian Federation, for example, when choosing criteria for the admission of ships, uses both the national classification (Arc4-Arc9) and the Baltic one (Ice1-Ice3), while recognizing the ice classes of ships according to the International Association of Classification Societies. The results of a comparison of the Arctic Council countries on the presence of signs for development of transport-geographical zoning and navigation management in the Polar waters are presented. In conclusion, a list of tasks, the solution of which will contribute to the future transition from geographical to transport zoning of the Northern Sea Route and the Polar waters as a whole, is provided.