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Reducing time, fuel and CO2 emissions The North West Passage across the Arctic is shorter than the traditional route through the Panama Canal and thereby has the potential to generate important saving in both time, fuel and CO2 emissions. Christian Bonfils, explains. The North West Passage shortens the distance with 1.000 nautical miles. This results in a reduction in fuel consumption and transportation time and it also means lower CO2 emissions. The fuel savings alone add up to approximately USD 80,000. In addition this new route allows full utilisation of the ships capacity and thereby carries 25% more cargo than through the Panama Canal. It takes more than an average ship to sail the North West Passage. The trip across the Arctic is a challenging task that requires great experience, navigational skills and modern world class ships. In fact, there are only a few vessels which can handle the task. MV NORDIC ORION is an ice-class 1A ship, explains Christian Bonfils. These ships are designed and built to operate in the harsh conditions of the Arctic. It is estimated that the North West Passage will be open for transit voyages for approximately two months per year depending on the weather and ice conditions. Nordic navigation takes a historical step The Danish company Nordic Bulk Carriers A/S opens another chapter in the proud tradition of Nordic navigation. We follow the MV NORDIC ORION expedition closely and with great interest. This expedition once again emphasizes the strength, quality and long history of the Nordic maritime traditions. We are of course also very proud that a Danish company is the pioneers behind this voyage of discovery, says Jan Fritz Hansen, Executive Vice President of the Danish Shipowners Association. Fact sheet The North West Passage For the first time ever, a bulk carrier is using the North West Passage as a transit trade lane, when transporting coal from Vancouver in Canada to the port of Pori in Finland via the Arctic Sea. The vessel departed from the port of Vancouver in Canada the 6th of September and will transport 73,500 tons of coal for the Finnish company Ruukki Metals Oy. The North West Passage is more than 1.000 nautical miles shorter than the traditional shipping route through the Panama Canal and will save time, fuel and reduce CO2 emission but even more important increase the amount of cargo per transit with 25%. The fuel savings add up to approximately USD 80,000 and the ship carry 15.000 additional tons of coal and thereby utilising the full capacity of the ship compared to The Panama Canal, where the depth of the canal limits the size of ships and cargo. Behind this transit voyage of the Western Sea Route is market leader in operation of ice-class bulk carriers, the Danish company Nordic Bulk Carriers A/S. Nordic Bulk Carriers A/S is operating ice-class bulk carriers and has extensive experience and competencies within this specialised area and a modern fleet of high quality ships. The route is planned in close coordination with Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard to ensure a safe execution. The ship was issued an Arctic Pollution Prevention Certificate by Transport Canada before departure to ensure compliance with Canadian regulations. The opening of the North West Passage as a commercially predictable trade lane opens up new opportunities for the important Arctic region and for the coal, minerals and shipping industries. MV NORDIC ORION is an ice-class 1A ship. This is the highest conventional ice-class, and it is one of the only ships that can sail the route due to ice filed waters. Facts about Nordic Bulk Carriers A/S Nordic Bulk Carriers A/S is a Danish, privately controlled, shipping company, operating bulk carriers world wide. The company is specialized in operating ice class ships, as well as transporting cargoes as cement, steel scrap and fertilizers. The present fleet consists of 20 ships in the Handy/Handymax/Panamax segments, here of four special ice class ships in category 1A (NORDIC BARENTS, NORDIC BOTHNIA, NORDIC ODYSSEY and NORDIC ORION). The company is a part of the American shipping group Bulk Partners Limited which also consists of Phoenix Bulk Carriers and Americas Bulk Transport. Nordic Bulk Carriers A/S is located in Hellerup north of Copenhagen and is registered in Denmark. Nordic Bulk Carriers A/S website www.nordicbulkcarriers.com Facts about the ice bulker MV Nordic Orion 75.603 Dead weight tons Built in 2011 at Oshima Shipyard in Japan Ice class 1A 225 meter long 18,420 break horse powers (normal non ice classed ships have 12,000 bhp) Carry 73.500 tons of coal Has a sister ship MV NORDIC ODYSSEY, which also has performed several Arctic trips and was the first Panamax bulk carrier on the Northern Sea Route Nordic Bulk Carriers A/S press release |
Historic sea route opens through Canadian Arctic Waters
