Tag: Northern Sea Route

First things first, when talking about Arctic shipping, firstly, we need to define the area we are talking about : Arctic is considered the Polar Region north of Arctic Circle, (the 66° 33 parallel) including two shipping roads: the Northern Sea Route (NSR) the one close to Russia shore and the Northwest Passage (NWP) close to the Canadian Shore. According to traffic statistics prior to 2010 there was no commercial traffic in the region, however due to climate change, there has been a substantial change leading to 71 transits for the 2013 season. Shorter roads are making these transits more attractive as distances may be shorter 1,000 miles or more on the NWP or 3,500 miles on the NSR as it may be seen in relevant figure: Historic Firsts in Arctic Shipping First foreign ship to transit NSR: Heavy lifts MV Foresight & MV Fraternity operated by Beluga Shipping Group in 2009 Largest tanker to cross NSR: MV Baltica (100,000 DWT) operated by Sovcomflot First foreign ship to cross the NSR: MV Nordic Barents operated by Nordic Bulk carriers First passenger ship to transit NSR: Russian state owned Georg Ots First Suezmax Supertanker through NSR: MV Vladimir Thikonov (162,000 DWT) operated ...

The Global Ice Center at Weathernews has announced on August 22nd that the Northern Sea Route (NSR) bordering Russia is now open to commercial shipping traffic as of August 21st, 2014. The NSR opens two weeks earlier than last season when lower than average temperatures resulted in slow pace of melting in the Arctic Ocean. Last summer, the northeastern passage opened at the beginning of September. Meanwhile large areas of sea ice still remain in the northwestern passage along the Canadian coast. Based on analysis of satellite images by the Global Ice Center (GIC), ice experts at Weathernews predicts this too should melt away by early September, thus opening the other passage for vessels. Analysis results as of August 21st confirming the Northeastern passage open to vessels. (Please click for a larger view) The NSR has been in use by vessels escorted by Russian icebreakers since late June. However, enough ice has melted north of the New Siberian Islands (Novosibirsk) to allow vessels to pass through the region with minimal risk of collision from now until early October, according to Weathernews' Global Ice Center. Northeastern passage clear of sea ice north of the Novosibrisk (New Siberian) Islands, August 20th Use of ...

Global Ice Center predicts NSR to remain open for six weeks The Global Ice Center at Weathernews has announced on August 22nd that the Northern Sea Route (NSR) bordering Russia is now open to commercial shipping traffic as of August 21st, 2014.The NSR opens two weeks earlier than last season when lower than average temperatures resulted in slow pace of melting in the Arctic Ocean. Last summer, the northeastern passage opened at the beginning of September.Meanwhile large areas of sea ice still remain in the northwestern passage along the Canadian coast. Based on analysis of satellite images by the Global Ice Center (GIC), ice experts at Weathernews predicts this too should melt away by early September, thus opening the other passage for vessels.Analysis results as of August 21st confirming the Northeastern passage open to vessels. (Please click for a larger view)The NSR has been in use by vessels escorted by Russian icebreakers since late June. However, enough ice has melted north of the New Siberian Islands (Novosibirsk) to allow vessels to pass through the region with minimal risk of collision from now until early October, according to Weathernews' Global Ice Center.Northeastern passage clear of sea ice north of the Novosibrisk ...

The August bulletin of ice forecasts for the second half of the navigation period contains general information about the expected ice conditions in the Russian Arctic seas in the second half of navigation of 2014

Navigating risks and opportunities in Arctic shipping

Rosy predictions for commercial Arctic traffic bring North Pole nuclear icebreaker tours to a halt

Rosy predictions for commercial Arctic traffic bring North Pole nuclear icebreaker tours to a halt

This summers minimum ice extent to be less than last summer The Global Ice Center at Weathernews has announced their 2014 predictions for ice concentration in the Artic Sea. Based on trends observed so far this year, the ice has been receding at a pace consistent with previous years, and experts at the Global Ice Center (GIC) expect this summers minimum ice extent to be less than last summer.Weathernews is confident that the Northern Sea Route (NSR) will open in August both on the northeastern passage on the Russian side and northwestern passage along Canada, making the route fully accessible to commercial shipping traffic approximately one month earlier than last year. Use of the NSR by the shipping and energy industries is increasing year-on-year, so the need for detailed information on ice conditions is increasing, too. Weathernews is responding to these needs by providing nowcasts and forecasts to companies operating voyages through the NSR.Ice in the Arctic Sea started to melt this year from late May, and continues to recede at the same pace seen in the last few years. Currently, the total area of ice coverage is approximately 7.5 million km2. Looking at region by area, ice continues to ...

OAO NK Rosneft will conduct marine fauna monitoring in the Northern Sea Route in 2014. The studies will be organized by the Arctic Research Center.

Vessels will be capable of transporting LNG from Yamal LNG plant to global LNG markets Yamal LNG Project Trading RoutesTOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced that joint venture companies between MOL and China Shipping (Group) Company, concluded and signed shipbuilding contracts with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. in Korea to build three ice class LNG carriers.These ice class carriers are intended for Yamal LNG project, which is currently Russian's most strategic project in energy. The signing by other owner of remaining carriers required for Yamal LNG fleet will be made in Russia.The ice class LNG carriers for the project will have independent ice-breaking capabilities that enable them to sail in icy seas with maximum 2.1m ice thickness.The vessels will be capable of transporting LNG from Yamal LNG plant at Sabetta in Yamal Peninsula, Russia, to main LNG markets in the world. During summer period, the carriers will also be able to independently sail on Northern Sea Route to transport LNG to East Asia.MOL will bring to the project its 130 years of first class and reliable navigation experience and through this new undertaking will develop its know-how and resources needed for ship operation on Northern Sea Route, which should ...