Russia Floats Arctic Shipping Route as ‘Viable’ Suez Canal Alternative

The Moscow Times ^ | 25 Mar 2021

[DUMBGRUNT]

Russia has proposed its strategic Arctic shipping route as an alternative to the Suez Canal after a 400-meter cargo ship got stuck in the canal, blocking one of the world’s key shipping routes and sparking fears of a rise in oil prices.

“If you get icebound, we have icebreakers, well to break the ice,” Rosatom added, attaching an article on Rosatom icebreakers rescuing a cargo ship trapped in the ice in late December and early January.

While sailing the Northern Sea Route cuts about 40% of the distance between China and European ports compared with taking the Suez Canal, traffic along the Arctic route is not yet competitive with the Suez Canal or even sailing around Africa, The Barents Observer wrote Thursday.

[dfwgator]

Nuke it from orbit!

[Svartalfiar]

How can they monetize that?

How can't they monetize it? Shipping through the Artic HAS to go through Russia - it's even worse to try to sail from the Pacific around Russia to the Atlantic. All of those goods would have to be rail-shipped north through Russia to their Arctic ports, then shipped on the boats east.

Even if India or someone tried to sail to the Pacific to go around Russia (waaay longer than just going around Africa), Russia could easily charge passage through their waters, as their icebreakers would be the only possible path through, and you can bet they won't stay only in international waters.

[linMcHlp]

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/google-egypt-suez-digital-internet-flow-change-middle-east

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/underwater-cables-internet-middle-east

[Hootowl99]

Another aspect to add is that very few commercial ships have “ice class” rated bulls. The scantlings required by the certification societies cannot simply be retrofitted to an existing hull. The must designed for and incorporated during construction.

There are several levels of ice class certification that specify old vs. new ice and thickness of ice that is acceptable. In addition, there are specifications on maximum latitudes that can be sailed.

The consequences of sailing a ship outside of its ice class limits is cancellation of insurance and financing foreclosure. I imagine an ice breaker escort can mitigate some of these constraints but I doubt it can eliminate an ice class requirement.