Βόρειο Θαλάσσιο Πέρασμα: πόσο θα χρησιμοποιηθεί;
Northern Sea Route: how much will be used?
View/ Open
Keywords
Βόρειο θαλάσσιο πέρασμα ; Αρκτική ; Ρωσία ; Northern Sea Route ; Πάγος ; Εναλλακτική διαδρομή ; Παγοθραυστικά ; Ice classAbstract
The recent years have been characterized by a continuous flow of information and discoveries in the Shipping. More and more industry professionals are making endeavors to offer high quality services to their clientele. In this context, there has been a particular interest in a sea route, which connects the Pacific with Atlantic ocean, Europe with Asia, reducing distance resulting lower voyage time by almost half. It is estimated that the Northern Sea Route will not turn into a year-round shipping route by 2050. The typical cargo ships cannot currently navigate into the NSR without an icebreaker and ice class and they won't be able to do it. The Northern Sea Route is currently and will continue to be a seasonal sea route until the year 2050. The navigation is hazardous for ships with low or no ice class notation. These challenges might lead to an extended voyage, increasing operating costs and breach the terms of the charter or even necessitate a ship's U-turn before arriving at its destination. The passage cannot compete the traditional shipping route that connects Europe to the Far East via the Suez Canal. In the 2030, the expected NSR accessibility is predicted to last between one and two months for a high-ice class ship sailing without icebreaker assistance and up to five months in 2090. Ships that are going to cross the NSR should also to comply with the legislation and to navigate in specific districts that Russia recommends. Also, it is provided that the trade volume between China and the European Union will be increased by the end of the 21st century and the passage is likely to become an alternative route in order to decongest the traditional ones. Ηowever, the passage faces serious problems (operational , climatic, financial etc.), which make it a non- preferred route.