The Northern Sea Route might see as much as 120 million tons of freight per year by 2030, said Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Alexander Krutikov.

"With regard to the decisions made this year, I'm sure we'll reach 80 million tons by 2024. Moreover, by 2030 the volume should reach 120 million tons, and 160 million by 2025," Krutikov said at the 9th International Forum, The Arctic: Today and the Future.

He added that in the next decade, much of the cargo shipping volume on the Northern Sea Route would be generated in Russia.

"If we meet the requirements for icebreakers, safety and communications, Russian vessels will be able to run along the route at service speed all year, and this is most important. It must be mentioned that the conditions do not meet the requirements for international shipping yet," Krutikov said.

According to the deputy minister, plans call for increasing international shipping starting in the 2030s.