arctic shipping
Newsletter
Credit: zanskar/Big Stock Photo
New study reveals Arctic sea ice complicates shipping routes
Melting sea ice in the Canadian Arctic is paradoxically making shipping routes more hazardous due to the movement of centuries-old thick ice, according to recent research.
In short:
- Melting thinner ice is releasing thick, old ice, creating choke points in the Northwest Passage.
- The study, reflecting actual ship traffic from 2007-2021, shows increased risk on key routes, despite longer shipping seasons in some areas.
- Local coastal communities face increased food and supply costs due to shortened shipping seasons and reliance on costly airlifts.
Key quote:
"It's true that the Arctic sea ice in general is showing significant retreat and melting, and will continue to do so, but our new study shows that it's not a simple story."
— Alison Cook, Scottish Association for Marine Science
Why this matters:
Thick ice obstructing Arctic shipping routes poses economic and logistical challenges for coastal communities, increasing their dependence on expensive airlifts. Additionally, this complicates future plans for using the Northwest Passage as a reliable trade route, affecting global shipping logistics.
In short:
- Melting thinner ice is releasing thick, old ice, creating choke points in the Northwest Passage.
- The study, reflecting actual ship traffic from 2007-2021, shows increased risk on key routes, despite longer shipping seasons in some areas.
- Local coastal communities face increased food and supply costs due to shortened shipping seasons and reliance on costly airlifts.
Key quote:
"It's true that the Arctic sea ice in general is showing significant retreat and melting, and will continue to do so, but our new study shows that it's not a simple story."
— Alison Cook, Scottish Association for Marine Science
Why this matters:
Thick ice obstructing Arctic shipping routes poses economic and logistical challenges for coastal communities, increasing their dependence on expensive airlifts. Additionally, this complicates future plans for using the Northwest Passage as a reliable trade route, affecting global shipping logistics.
Keep reading...Show less
A month after they set out on Arctic voyage, two Russian oil tankers still battle with sea-ice
The ships that are loaded with more than 200,000 tons of oil might have been surprised by ice pack in the East Siberian Sea.
Photo by Hubert Neufeld on Unsplash
Shipping in the Arctic faces foggy future as sea ice melts
The Arctic is turning increasingly foggy, driven by climate change. A recent study looked at Arctic weather records from 1979 to 2018 and found the seas have been growing foggier, especially near newly open areas of water.
Newsletter
Al/Flickr
Pipe dreams: decoding the political debate on shipping oil through Manitoba’s Arctic port
Pierre Poilievre is eyeing the Port of Churchill as a way to increase fossil fuel exports. Here’s what you need to know about the complicated reality of his plan.
https://arcticportal.org/
In graphic detail: The polar silk route
China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative aims to link much of the world through road, rail, and maritime networks, including ice-free routes through the Arctic.
Billy Lindblom/Flickr
Ship noise sends beluga whales scrambling out of the way
A new tracking study shows just how far belugas will go to avoid noise pollution.
Christopher Michel/Flickr
Climate change is Putin’s best ally
The melting Arctic offers a lifeline for the increasingly sanctioned Russian economy.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
