So That’s How You Move Giant Submarines! (Pictures)

Two Russian submarines being transported through the Northern Sea Route from one part of Russia to another. The Northern Sea Route is where the ships go through the Northern Arctic ocean when it’s free of ice.

This way the journey is almost two and a half times shorter than if they go through the traditional sea route starting in St. Petersburg, then the Baltics – Mediterranean – Red Sea – Indian Ocean – South-East Asia – Japan – and then finally Vladivostok.








This long route is more than 23,000 kilometers long and was traditionally used if the ships from the western part of Russia wanted to reach the far eastern part of the country.

In the summer, they have an alternative and can go through the Northern Sea Route which is around 10,000 km long.



The subs are still on the ship which can “sink” to allow easy loading / unloading
Here you see the ship when it has filled the ballast tanks and sinks deeper into the water
The Submarines float again and can be towed to the docks
The first sub is “free”, note the other in the background
Docked safely in the harbor!