Abstract
Information on ship traffic on the Northern Sea Route (NSR) has been lacking. Previous studies have analyzed transit shipping via the NSR, but no data has been available on the overall traffic volume (number of voyages) and the magnitude and characteristics of domestic and destination shipping. Information on shipping trends and the role of Russian and non-Russian shipping companies in ongoing shipping operations has been incomplete. This study provides such statistical data and evaluation of traffic on the NSR during 2016–2019 and discusses policy implications for future NSR shipping. The study shows that Russian domestic shipping dominates shipping activities on the NSR in terms of number of shipping companies, vessels and voyages. There are much fewer Asian shipping companies working on the NSR than European companies, contrary to media reports that often depict a large Asian shipping influence on the NSR. Much more frequent voyages are also taking place between the NSR and European ports than ports in the Asian Pacific region. Developing logistics operations involve year-round shipments of commodities from remote locations within the NSR to ice-free transshipment and storage hubs located outside the NSR, but within Russia.
Highlights
Ship traffic is increasing in the Arctic, facilitated by rapid reduction in sea ice cover and ice thickness as a result of global warming, resulting in greater marine access and longer navigation seasons
Zhang et al [14] pointed out the lack of ship traffic analysis and information on what is exactly happening on the Northern Sea Route (NSR)
Li and Otsuka [16] provided in a conference paper more comprehensive information on shipping activities on the NSR, including ship types, the range in deadweight tonnage and daily ship positioning between 2013 and 2017, based on data from the Russian Northern Sea Route Administration (NSRA)
Summary
Ship traffic is increasing in the Arctic, facilitated by rapid reduction in sea ice cover and ice thickness as a result of global warming, resulting in greater marine access and longer navigation seasons. The main economic driver for this increased shipping activity in the Arctic is natural resource exploitation and global market demands for commodities. Zhang et al [14] pointed out the lack of ship traffic analysis and information on what is exactly happening on the NSR They stressed the need to fill the gap between economic viability studies and actual ship traffic statistics on the NSR by identifying key players and shipping patterns. Li and Otsuka [16] provided in a conference paper more comprehensive information on shipping activities on the NSR, including ship types, the range in deadweight tonnage and daily ship positioning between 2013 and 2017, based on data from the Russian Northern Sea Route Administration (NSRA). Received 30 July 2020; Received in revised form 12 November 2020; Accepted 16 December 2020
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