SAINT PETERSURG: President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday oversaw the launch of a new nuclear-powered icebreaker as Russia pushes to develop the Arctic and seeks new energy markets amid sanctions over Ukraine.
Addressing a Saint Petersburg ceremony for the launch of the Yakutia icebreaker by video link, Putin said such vessels were of “strategic” importance for Russia.
In addition to floating out the Yakutia, authorities also symbolically raised a flag on another nuclear-powered icebreaker, the Ural.
The Ural and the Yakutia are part of a fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers that are meant to ensure Moscow’s dominance over the melting Arctic.
The Kremlin chief vowed to develop his country’s nuclear fleet despite current difficulties in Russia’s economy and production in an apparent reference to Western sanctions over Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine.
“We will increase the capabilities of our nuclear icebreaker fleet,” Putin said.
He said this should be achieved “using domestic equipment and components.”
The Ural is expected to become operational in December, while the Yakutia will join the fleet in late 2024, Putin said.
The vessels are designed to resist extreme weather conditions in the Far North, have a length of 173 meters (568 feet) and can smash through ice up to 2.8 meters thick.
The Russian leader said the ships were part of Moscow’s efforts “to consolidate Russia’s status as a great Arctic power.”
He once again stressed the importance of developing the so-called Northern Sea Route, which allows ships to reach Asian ports up to 15 days faster than via the traditional Suez Canal.
“This very important corridor will allow Russia to realize its export potential in full, and establish an effective logistics route to South-East Asia,” Putin said.
Moscow has for years heavily invested in the route.
But Putin’s military campaign in Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions have given new urgency to plans to redirect energy exports to Asia.
Russian industries have struggled with production in recent months, deprived of key Western-produced parts due to sanctions.
The vessels are expected to be a game changer for Russia’s use of the Arctic.
Transit in the eastern Arctic usually ends in November but Moscow is hoping the icebreakers will help it make use of the route — becoming more accessible due to climate change — year-round.
Russia unveils new icebreaker in push for energy markets
https://arab.news/5jru4
Russia unveils new icebreaker in push for energy markets
- Putin said such vessels were of "strategic" importance for Russia
- The Ural and the Yakutia are part of a fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers that are meant to ensure Moscow's dominance over the melting Arctic
Air France-KLM hikes long-haul ticket prices
- “Air France and KLM are increasing their fares on long-haul flights for tickets issued from Mar. 11, 2026,” the group said
- The group said economy class return fares would typically increase by $58
PARIS: Air France-KLM said Thursday it is raising long-haul ticket prices due to soaring jet fuel prices caused by the the Iran war.
“The current geopolitical situation in the Middle East has led to a sudden and significant increase in fuel prices, particularly kerosene. As a result, Air France and KLM are increasing their fares on long-haul flights for tickets issued from Wednesday, March 11, 2026,” the group said in a statement, confirming a report in financial daily Les Echos.
The group said economy class return fares would typically increase by 50 euros ($58) as it followed carriers such as SAS, Cathay Pacific, Air India and Qantas in hiking fares.
Low-cost carrier Transavia, owned by the group, has elected not to increase its fares as yet, but is “monitoring the situation closely and will take action if necessary,” a spokesperson told AFP.
The average global price of aviation fuel reached nearly $168 per barrel on Wednesday, according to the Platts benchmark index, slightly down on Monday but double January 2 levels.
The increase has been sharper than for crude oil prices owing to extra refining and associated costs.
The price of a barrel of Brent crude briefly topped $100 on Thursday, despite an unprecedented release by International Energy Agency members of stocks to avoid a global shortage.
Fuel is a major expense for airlines, either first or second depending on the carrier.
Some airlines will look to limit the effects of the price rise through a ‘hedging’ strategy comprising buying fuel at a fixed price several months in advance.
Air France-KLM said in February it had strengthened its own hedging policy by securing 70 percent of its supplies for the current and next quarters, then 60 percent for the following quarter.
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific said earlier it was doubling its fuel surcharge for most routes from March 18, with flights between Hong Kong and Europe bringing a fuel surcharge rising from around 62 euro to around 129 euros.
Another local airline, Hong Kong Airlines, announced on Thursday that it had also increased its fuel surcharge for most of its flights.
