Troubled
waters
Polar patrol
Reduced sea ice is very likely to increase marine transport and access to resources
Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA) November 2004: Key finding #6
Risky business
In 2004 there were just 27 cruise ships sailing around Greenland, by 2007 there were 200. With more and more shipping in the region, particularly in the Northwest Passage, including complete transits, there is a growing awareness about safety.
The risks for shipping in Arctic waters are high, but the level of the support service is low. Sailing in a remote and vast region, at times through treacherous ice choked waters, is difficult and dangerous; however there are limited rescue and recovery operations. More needs to be done.
There are no specific international mandatory regulations for shipping in the Arctic, only voluntary, non-enforceable guidelines issued by the International Marine Organization (IMO).
This presentation helps you to discover what is happening in the Northeast Passage.
More information
- International Maritime Organization
- IMO Guidelines for Ships Operating in Arctic Ice-Covered Waters
- Fridtjof Nansens Institutt: "Arctic Shipping Guidelines: From Voluntary to Mandatory Tool for Environmental Protection and Navigation Safety?"
- Look at the Transport Canada website. Find out what they're doing to maintain sovereignty and protect the environment. See article of January 28th 2009.
Arctic Bulletin - Download "Arctic Bulletin" and find out about the WWF ideas for an interim 'code of practice' for ship owners (pages 18 and 19)
