The commercial viability of the Arctic shipping routes

  • Alexander Nilsen (Student)

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

It is commonly held that the Arctic Ocean and Arctic routes, presents an alternative to the traditional shipping routes through the Suez- and Panama- Channel, which is less time and cost consuming. This thesis strives to uncover weather or not this is the case by assessing the environmental developments, the distance and time characteristics of each defined route, as well as the individual costs associated with each route. The results from the alternative Arctic routes are then compared with the traditional routes. The results show that, though the distance between most of the ports of departure and arrival are in most cases shorter or considerable shorter, in extent presenting a decrease in the voyage time. Current sea ice conditions on the other hand only allow for the commercial shipping operations along the Northern Sea Route (NSR). The cost comparison proves that the NSR only become profitable with the implementation of the know industry practise of slow speed. The result is important as it has the prospective possibility to alter the commercial shipping traffic around the world, connecting major parts of the world with a less costly and faster way of trade.
Date of Award2 Jul 2013
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa
SupervisorSusana Frazão Ferreira Fernandes Pinheiro (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • Global warming
  • Sea ice
  • Arctic shipping routes
  • Cost comparison
  • Time comparison
  • Commercial viability

Designation

  • Mestrado em Gestão

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