Abstract
In recent years, a continuous decline of ice-coverage in the Arctic has been recorded, but these high latitudes are still dominated by earth’s polar ice cap. Therefore, safe and sustainable shipping operations in this still frozen region have as a precondition the availability of ice-breaking support. The analysis in hand provides an assessment of the United States’ and Canada’s polar ice-breaking program with the purpose of examining to what extent these countries’ relevant resources are able to meet the facilitated growth of industrial interests in the High North. This assessment will specifically focus on the maritime transportation sector along the Northwest Passage and consists of four main sections. The first provides a very brief description of the main Arctic passages. The second section specifically explores the current situation of the Northwest Passage, including the relevant navigational challenges, lack of infrastructure, available routes that may be used for transit, potential choke points, and current state of vessel activity along these routes. The third one examines the economic viability of the Northwest Passage compared to that of the Panama Canal; the fourth and final section is investigating the current and future capabilities of the United States’ and Canada’s ice-breaking fleet. Unfortunately, both countries were found to be lacking the necessary assets with ice-breaking capabilities and will need to accelerate their efforts in order to effectively respond to the growing needs of the Arctic. The total number of available ice-breaking assets is impacting negatively the level of support by the marine transportation system of both the United States and Canada; these two countries are facing the possibility to be unable to effectively meet the expected future needs because of the lengthy acquisition and production process required for new ice-breaking fleets.
Highlights
An extremely simplistic definition of the “Arctic,” would be to describe it as the areas around the North Pole
As the ice coverage of the Arctic landscape maintains its downward trend coupled with the increased human activity into unchartered areas of the Arctic, it is vital to reevaluate the resource capabilities in support of transiting ships as well as the available level of response efforts and international cooperation
U.S Arctic is disconcerting given the expected demand in the Arctic region in coming years coupled with the lengthy acquisition and production process required for the new ice-breaking fleets
Summary
An extremely simplistic definition of the “Arctic,” would be to describe it as the areas around the North Pole. The current analysis is contributing fact that ice and ice-pacts will remain a concern in the future and the support of into the wider Arctic literature by examining the current state of affairs in relation to the icebreakers are still needed to facilitate the safe passage of ships. It is important to factor in that icebreakers are the backbone of any presence in the Arctic, both military and civilian This is a critical issue as there is a contradicting view between the United States and Canada concerning the legal status of the NWP and icebreakers may play a critical role in exerting a nations sovereignty in addition to their other multiple uses; from resupplying isolated communities and outposts to scientific exploration, search and rescue (SAR), and of utmost importance for shipping: ensuring that sea lines remain ice-free. A critical evaluation of future plans in relation to the introduction of icebreakers into service is taking place
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