UDK: 347.79; 656.615

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30932/2500-1868-2026-58-2-18

Kirill An. Maslov - Managing Partner, Saint Petersburg Law Firm “Inmarin”, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Abstract. The current paper has considered the issues of legal support to the competitiveness of maritime container shipping in the line traffic on the Northern Sea Route. The work is of great relevance due to the necessity to develop legal support for container shipping on the Northern Sea Route as an alternative to traditional traffic. The study has determined a contradiction between the principle of regular line shipping and route restrictions, which becomes the problem of risk allocation and fulfillment of obligations. The operation of line container services along the Northern Sea Route must be accompanied by solutions to a number of existing issues, including the legal nature of line services, the transformation of contractual models, the definition of the parties and legal status of the line operator in its relations with the parties involved in the transportation, and the allocation of risks and liabilities among the parties involved in cargo transportation. There has been noted the necessity to adapt existing liability mechanisms to the specifics of container shipping on the Northern Sea Route and implement the concept of “managed risk”. There has been concluded that a special private-law model for line shipping along the Northern Sea Route is essential, with the Russian container line operator playing a decisive role.

Keywords: Northern Sea Route; line shipping; container shipping; contractual models of transportation; risk allocation; carrier liability; private law regulation.

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Maslov К. А. Issues of legal support to the competitiveness of maritime container shipping in the line traffic on the Northern Sea Route // Transport law and security. 2026; (2(58)):223―230.