Introduction

Chapter
First Online:

Abstract

This chapter introduces the reader to the issue of shipping lanes. It points out that climate changes which have been taking place in the Arctic in recent years have led to a reduction in the extent of sea ice and its thickness as well as an extension of the navigation season for all vessels, including those with low ice classes or without ice strengthening. The prospect of being able to shorten the route between Europe and the Far East using the Northern Sea Route as a permanent shipping lane is attracting more and more interest. The information noise in the form of TV programmes and statements released by politicians and officials on the use of the NSR does not seem to be well founded. The fundamental purpose of this book is, therefore, to determine the kind of navigation possible on the NSR. Will it be seasonal or all-year-round? If seasonal, how long will the season be? What vessels will be able to navigate in the area? Will the NSR be completely or only partially free of ice? Will it be possible to conduct liner shipping according to a strict time schedule? Will ice conditions impeding navigation on the NSR be predictable and—if so—to what extent? In order to answer the above questions, the author provides a precise definition of the term “navigation season”, which the reader will repeatedly come across in subsequent chapters. Another issue addressed in this chapter is the issue of vessels used on the NSR. Are these to be vessels with a standard structure and a standard main engine power, which are relatively inexpensive to construct and operate and hence competitive on the market in ice-free regions, or should they rather be vessels with medium and high ice classes, which make it possible to extend the navigation season or even to conduct shipping operations throughout the year, but which cannot compete on the market in ice-free regions? The main aim of the book is to evaluate the functioning of the NSR as part of the maritime shipping lane connecting the ports of Europe with those of the Far East. The evaluation is conducted for two time-frames: contemporary and future (until the year 2050 inclusive). In order to transport, i.e. move cargo and passengers from place to place, three things are required: means of transport, transport infrastructure and the skills necessary to use the first two elements. Transport infrastructure consists of ports, harbours, transshipping points and communication lines. Skills to do with managing and controlling vessel traffic are crucial to ensure an appropriate level of safety and economic efficiency. The above elements are thoroughly analysed in subsequent chapters. Next, the author systematises and clarifies terms connected with the concept of a shipping lane, from both a historical and functional point of view. He discusses factors affecting the choice of a route to be followed to the port of destination. He also juxtaposes physical distances, voyage duration and the overall cost of shipping along the NSR, via the Suez Canal and the Trans-Siberian Railway. What is pointed out is that vessel speed and voyage duration on the NSR are highly unpredictable. The chapter also includes a discussion of ice cover changes from the point of view of the past 30, 20 and 7 years, ice conditions existing in the seas of the Russian Arctic and affecting the realisation of shipping voyages, and the duration of the navigation season on selected segments of the NSR.

Keywords

Suez Canal Marine Shipping Shipping Lane Navigation Season International Hydrographic Organization 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Faculty of NavigationGdynia Maritime UniversityGdyniaPoland

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