On September 5, a barge broke off mooring and allided with the ro-ro cargo ship Zapolyarnyy which at the time was berthed in Dudinka port, in the Russian Arctic.
According to information, the barge remained intact, while Zapolyarnyy sustained dents in its stern quarters area.
This news comes at a time when Arctic experienced a major milestone. Namely, the Cosco owned cargo ship ‘Tian En’ managed to sail out of the Arctic Circle successfully, completing its maiden voyage within the circle. Specifically, the vessel has departed Arctic waters for the French port of Rouen, after having travelled through the Arctic’s Northern Sea Route.
Travels through this route are gaining momentum as Maersk, Novatek and Sovcomflot have all used the Northern Sea Route.
Nevertheless, this reveals a downside. Due to global warming Arctic sea ice hit a record low for January, while ice in the Bering Sea reported its lowest levels in recorded history.
