The article is devoted to the issues of technological development of the Northern sea route (NSR). The purpose of the study is to justify the need to create conditions for the technological development of the shipping line, which is a priority, large-scale and commercial project of Russia that provides economic growth of the Arctic regions and the Russian Federation itself. To make NSR the effective in near future, it is necessary to focus on the development of the Arctic icebreaker fleet, satellite communications, emergency rescue facilities, port fleet and digital technologies. As a result of research authors consider factors of technological development as elements of the driving force of the NSR project and an ecosystem of technological innovations that ensures the constant functioning of the shipping artery. The authors deem the following areas as key factors of the NSR's technological development: 1. Formation of innovation-territorial clusters of enterprises focused on projects for the development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF). 2. Creation of special economic zones (SEZ) of technical and innovative type in the administrative centers of the Arctic regions. 3. Stimulating demand for innovative technologies. 4. Building a system of effective international cooperation. 5. Tax incentives for business in the Russian Arctic. Main conclusions of the research. Technological innovations' usage in development of the NSR will speed up the process of creating an effective and reliable engineering infrastructure, ensure the uninterrupted movement of ships, will give a powerful push and an extra boost to the sectors of Russian economy (shipbuilding, radio electronics, new materials, oil and gas equipment, etc.) and, as a result, it will create favorable conditions for public - private investment inflow in these industries and for the economy of Arctic regions.