Chinese heavy-lift ships Ocean 28 and Nan Feng Zhi Xing push through thickening ice on the Northern Sea Route to deliver a power plant to a Russian LNG project. Facing delays due to storms and deteriorating ice conditions, their journey highlights the risks and challenges of Arctic shipping, raising safety concerns.
The summer shipping season on Russia’s Northern Sea Route is ending early due to winter ice forming sooner than expected. Ships must hurry to complete their transits before the route closes in three weeks. A near-disaster in October 2021 prompted this early shutdown to ensure safe passage for vessels navigating the Arctic waters.
Novatek, a Russian LNG producer, defied Western sanctions by sending the Everest Energy tanker through the Northern Sea Route. Despite lacking proper permits and sailing under a defunct flag, the vessel completed the journey to Asia. This risky move showcases Russia’s determination to market LNG in the face of sanctions and challenges in international shipping.
Palau suspends flags of Russian LNG tankers, halting operations due to AIS signal tampering. Investigation shows potential cargo losses and challenges for Novatek. Delays impact marketing efforts and finding buyers for sanctioned cargo from Arctic LNG 2 project. Complexity and restrictions in LNG shipping industry highlighted. Shadow fleet remains inactive in Russian waters.
Two Chinese container ships are navigating the Arctic’s Northeast Passage to connect Chinese ports with European destinations. The Arctic Route offers a shortcut to avoid the Red Sea’s turbulent waters, with icebreaker escort required in some regions. New Shipping Line operates the vessels, planning expansion in the Arctic.
Ships in Arctic waters are now banned from using or transporting heavy bunker oil, according to a new UN regulation. But environmental groups argue the ban is not comprehensive enough to address the impact of soot emissions on the Arctic’s environment. The ban aims to prevent spills that could harm Arctic species.
The International Maritime Organization has approved new Emission Control Areas in Canada and the Norwegian Sea to reduce emissions from international shipping. The use of alternative fuels or exhaust gas cleaning systems will be required to limit sulfur content to 0.1%. The Clean Arctic Alliance praised the move for its environmental benefits.
The Russian government has extended the period in which double-acting vessels with ice classes Arc7 and Arc8 can navigate independently along the Northern Sea Route. This change is in response to plans for year-round LNG transport to Asia, set to begin in 2024. Ice conditions have become less severe on average, prompting this relaxation of escort requirements.
A new 10 year report by the Arctic Council’s Working Group on the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) indicates a significant increase in shipping across the Arctic Ocean, with ships operating in the Arctic increasing by almost 40 percent between 2013 and 2023. Fishing vessels remain the largest category of vessels.
