Russia’s Northeast Passage Open to Commercial Shipping
Two cargo ships set out last week from the port of Vladivostok to traverse Russia’s Northeast Passage, marking the first time commercial ships have attempted the normally ice-bound route across Russia’s Arctic shore without the aid of icebreakers.The two ships, Fraternity and Foresight, owned by German shipper Beluga Shipping GmbH, received permission to travel the route last Friday.
Bound for the Netherlands from South Korea, the route will cut 4,000 nautical miles from the typical 11,000-mile route through the Suez Canal, helping realize a “considerable” reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, said Niels Stolbert, president and CEO of Beluga.
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Satellite images revealed last summer that melting Arctic sea-ice had opened up a small corridor above Russia enabling commercial shipping through the Northeast Passage. Never before had Canada’s Northwest Passage and Russia’s Northeast Passage both been open at the same time.
“Global warming is obviously a development with negative effects. However the melting ice in the Northeast Passage and the possibility to transit through it has positive effects, too. Shipping companies can cut bunker consumption and reduce CO2 as well as other emissions,” Stolbert said.
Beluga had hoped to utilize the passage last year during the short summer window of August and September, but were unable to obtain clearance from Russian authorities in time. Beluga has since had time to fully plan for the challenge of navigating the route, which is still a risky undertaking despite the retreating summer sea-ice.
The company has a history of innovation in its shipping operation. In March of 2008, Beluga completed the maiden voyage of the Beluga Skaysails. The ship deployed a 160–square-meter towing kite to offset as much as 20% of the engine’s power, reduce carbon emissions, and save up to $1000 per day in fuel costs.
Image credit: Shipspotting.com
