New shipping lane opens as ice melts
The interest towards shipping between Europe and Asia across the Arctic Ocean is increasing. This autumn the first shipment of iron ore is planned to go from Kirkenes, Norway, to China through the Northern Sea Route.
- Already today the possibilities for transporting considerable amounts of goods through that corridor are great, says advisor at the Norwegian Barents Secretariat Oddgeir Danielsen to Sveriges Radio.
Last summer two German transport vessels sailed the Northern Sea Route without assistance from ice breakers, and climate scientists believe that it will become even easier to use the lane as global warming makes the area free of ice in longer periods.
Kirkenes is preparing to ship iron ore from Sydvaranger’s mines to China through the Northern Sea Route, Danielsen says. – If this test turns out to be a success, more transport vessels will come, he adds.
