FredericLasserre
new user
Reged: 14/05/2008
Posts: 1
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I am doing a research on marine transportation in the Northwest Passage. I am wondering to what extent shipping companies are interested in using this new Arctic route, and why. So far, a few told me they were interested, but many said no.
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Shorter distance
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High insurance costs
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Just in time constraints
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Lower fuel costs
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Hazards of drifting ice
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No market on the way
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Too expensive to build ice-strenghtened ship
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SirSnoozalot
regular
Reged: 25/05/2008
Posts: 828
Loc: East Coast UK
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I was just pondering, theoretically, Global Warming will open the route more.
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Minn
regular
Reged: 23/07/2008
Posts: 13
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With respect, you've missed something very important.
The NW Passage is shallow!
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philip_stevens
regular
Reged: 16/05/2001
Posts: 2396
Loc: near Saint Ives, Cornwall
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but ice strengthened tankers have transitted in the past - albeit with ice-breaker accompaniment.
-------------------- regards,
Philip
Westerly Owners Association website
http://www.sub-spaced.com
Visit MarinaSkip now
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SirSnoozalot
regular
Reged: 25/05/2008
Posts: 828
Loc: East Coast UK
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How shallow?
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robstracey
regular
Reged: 27/04/2002
Posts: 313
Loc: North Shields, Tyne and Wear.
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A good idea, but impractical for the vast majority of shipping. Many charter parties and insurance policies forbid passage in high lattitudes. Often to the extent that a longer route is taken to avoid these lattitudes. A common one is to take a rhumb line, or composite great circle between the USA/Canada and the far east, to avoid passing north of the alutians.
An exciting prospect though!
-------------------- Rob.
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