News on Arctic.
A coming ban on sailing with high-sulfur fuel oil in the Arctic should not come into force until 2040, says Royal Arctic Line CEO Verner Hammeken. NGOs want the company's management replaced following the statement.
A ban on sailing with heavy fuel oil in fragile regions such as the Arctic needs to be settled now, say several NGOs calling on the IMO. The Arctic and several other topics are on the agenda in London this week.
Russia wants to make its Arctic waters more attractive to shippers than the Suez Canal and could be willing to compensate for potential risks to make that happen.
A coalition of NGOs battling the use of heavy fuels has sent its second letter to Cosco, in which the NGOs urge the Chinese liner company to make public what fuel types its vessels use in the Arctic.
Russia increases its efforts to use nuclear power as ship fuel with an order for another two nuclear-powered ice-breaker vessels. A few days ago a similar vessel was launched in St. Petersburg.
Germany's Bremenports will work with Icelandic partners to build a new deep vessel port on the fringe of the Arctic circle. The port will be a joint venture with two Icelandic municipalities.
Maersk Line pledges, in a response to ShippingWatch, to not use heavy fuel oil on its test voyage in the Arctic. The comment comes after an NGO has voiced concerns about the company's plans to sail on the Northern Sea Route.
A ship has now for the first time ever sailed north of Russia during the winter without assistance from an icebreaker. Watch a video of the Arctic sailing here.
Two towns in northern Norway are preparing for the new Chinese Silk Road, which is planned to run north of the Arctic. A local civic leader notes that the town of Kirkenes could become a Norwegian version of Rotterdam.
The EU Parliament repeats its call to the IMO to forbid ships from sailing on heavy fuel oil in the Arctic. The reiteration is a message meant to say that the EU will take action if the IMO does not deliver, NGO tells ShippingWatch.
The EU Parliament repeats its call to the IMO to forbid ships from sailing on heavy fuel oil in the Arctic. The reiteration is a message meant to say that the EU will take action if the IMO does not deliver, NGO tells ShippingWatch.
Russia's oil company has discovered first oil in the eastern part of the Arctic region. The company is now working to estimate the scope of the new oil field.
Despite protests, Statoil is once again drilling in the Arctic in the Barents Sea,, report several media. "Now we will test what could end up creating the next chapter in Norway's oil narrative," says Jez Averty, Head of Statoil's activities on the Norwegian and UK shelves.
Two committees in the EU Parliament are now pushing for the Parliament to ban sailing on heavy fuel in the Arctic in line with the out-phasing of the fuel implemented by Canada and the US. NGOs praise the initiative.
Freight volumes through the Northern Sea Route during the ice-free period took a dive in 2015, but for Arctic pioneer Nordic Bulk Carriers, the route continues to be an important part of its business, CEO tells ShippingWatch.
Greek Dynagas and the two Chinese companies Sinotrans and China Merchants Energy Shipping are allegedly preparing a joint venture aimed at LNG. The three partners will transport Arctic LNG from Russia's Yamal project.
One of the pivotal Chinese carriers is presumably ready to increase sailing on the Northern Sea Route, writes the Barents Observer.
The oil company will be a controversial first-mover in the region. "Everyone's watching us," says Shell executive.
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