Legal Problems of Polar Rout Exploitation

The article focuses on organizational and legal aspects of implementation of the program "The Exploration and Use of Arctic Resources" which is a part of the federal program "The World Ocean". It stipulates that through intensifying the use of the Northern Sea Rout in order to ensure transportation of goods to the northern and eastern regions of the country one may contribute to addressing a number of economic challenges. When defining key trade routes one must proceed from historical maritime boundaries of Russia taking into account specifics of its coastline and specific features of islands in the Arctic Ocean. Russia actively participate in the activities under the aegis of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and take all necessary steps to prevent possible environmental damages through the use of nuclear powered ice-breaking ships.