14 DAY TRIAL // Towards the beginning of this year's March, a paper in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences pointed out that, according to evidence at hand, it was only a matter of time until climate change and global warming opened up new sailing routes in remote parts of the world.
It turns out the scientists who pieced together this study really were on to something. Thus, Business Green tells us that, just a few days ago, a vessel belonging to Danish operator Nordic Bulk Carriers successfully completed the first commercial voyage through the Arctic Northwest Passage.
The ship is carrying coal from Canadian mining firm Teck Resources to Finnish steel producer Ruukki Metals. It left Vancouver, Canada in the first days of September, and it is expected to reach Finland this coming October 7.
The same source tells us that, by taking this route rather than traveling through the Panama Canal, the shipping vessel, dubbed the Nordic Orion, shortened its voyage by about 1,000 miles (1,610 kilometers).
This means that it will reach its final destination four days earlier than it would have if the Arctic Northwest Passage had still been impenetrable and if the ship had therefore been forced to opt for another route.
By shortening its trip, the Nordic Orion also managed to save some $80,000 (€59,217) worth of fuel.
Quite ironically, it appears that, due to the fact that the Arctic Northwest Passage is deeper than other sailing routes, the shipping vessel was also able to carry about 25% more coal, which happens to be one of the main causes of global warming.
Conservationists fear that, as more ships start traveling through these waters, their presence in the area will cause environmental pollution and disturb local ecosystems.
Therefore, it is important that high officials try to regulate traffic through these previously impenetrable parts of the world.
As researchers pointed out back in March, “While attractive to business, the lack of regulations poses safety, environmental and legal issues that have yet to be resolved.”