[Svartalfiar]

How can they monetize that?

How can't they monetize it? Shipping through the Artic HAS to go through Russia - it's even worse to try to sail from the Pacific around Russia to the Atlantic. All of those goods would have to be rail-shipped north through Russia to their Arctic ports, then shipped on the boats east.

Even if India or someone tried to sail to the Pacific to go around Russia (waaay longer than just going around Africa), Russia could easily charge passage through their waters, as their icebreakers would be the only possible path through, and you can bet they won't stay only in international waters.

[Hootowl99]

Another aspect to add is that very few commercial ships have “ice class” rated bulls. The scantlings required by the certification societies cannot simply be retrofitted to an existing hull. The must designed for and incorporated during construction.

There are several levels of ice class certification that specify old vs. new ice and thickness of ice that is acceptable. In addition, there are specifications on maximum latitudes that can be sailed.

The consequences of sailing a ship outside of its ice class limits is cancellation of insurance and financing foreclosure. I imagine an ice breaker escort can mitigate some of these constraints but I doubt it can eliminate an ice class requirement.