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Arctic shipping passage 'still decades away'
But we've only got [TheGuardian] It will be decades before big cargo ships link China and northern Europe by taking a shortcut through the Arctic Ocean, a report predicts. Climate change, retreating summer ice Sez who? and the prospect of shorter journey times and 40% lower fuel costs has led Russia, European governments and some industries to expect a major ice-free shipping lane to open I expect to win the lottery, too; wonder which of us will get our dream first? above Russia, allowing regular, year-long trade between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans within a few years. But, says the Arctic Institute in a new paper, low bunker fuel prices, a short sailing season and continuing treacherous ice conditions in the Arctic even in summer months means it could be 2040 at the earliest before it is commercially viable for ordinary merchant ships to pass through what is known as the northern sea route. Until then it will remain cheaper to send trade between Europe and the east via the Suez canal, it says. I wouldn't hold my breath for 2040, either, Bubbi. Posted by: Barbara 2016-02-09 |
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