Study on Feasibility of the Northern Sea Route from Recent Voyages

This paper presents the results of an investigation on the feasibility of shipping via the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Recent commercial voyage records in the NSR show that the shipping season starts in late June and continues through late November. Although sea ice concentration varies spatially and temporally, average ship speed transiting the route is relatively constant at about 10 knots through the season in recent year’s voyages, except for the very beginning of the season. Shipping costs were evaluated for three types of cargoes of iron ore, LNG (liquid natural gas) and frozen fish. Data from recent NSR shipping of these cargoes were included in the cost evaluation. Russian regulations were considered in calculating icebreaker escort fee. Shipping costs via conventional shipping route such as the Suez Canal route were also evaluated for comparison.