THE NORTHERN SEA ROUTE AND INTERNATIONAL SEABORNE TRADE AND SHIPPING IN 1970'S

The Soviet authorities have made impressive efforts in the 1960's to improve regular navigation in the Northern sea Route from White Sea to Bering Strait and to develop the economic resources of the northern Siberia. The icebreaker support has grown, the duration of the navigation season has been extended, a more liberal attitude and shipping policy in the Soviet Union has opened the Sea Route for international shipping, a credit agreement with the Japanese government has rendered 80 million dollars to improve the harbour in Port Wrangel for export purposes etc., the total freight turnover in the region has probably reached 2 million tons as against 0.27 million tons in 1960 and 0.08 million tons in 1950. Further development of the seaborne trade and international shipping in the Sea Route depends on a) improved icebreaker support and weather and ice forecasts, b) extended navigation season, c) release of information and a more liberal attitude of the authorities, d) moderate costs, i.e., charges for icebreaker, pilot services etc., e) the building of more polar cargo ships which can be utilized on a year basis, f) more development projects in Siberia between Soviet Union and foreign countries like the last agreement with Japan, g) port and bunker improvements along the Sea Route and more ship repair facilities. The most important item is probably f), because the huge resources of Siberia when they are developed and utilized might defend the vast investments in ports, icebreakers, ship yards, polar ships etc. which are necessary for a significant development of the Route. Experiences from shipping operations in polar seas outside the Northern Sea Route, i.e. in the Antarctic, Greenland, the Baltic Sea, in the North American Arctic are discussed. The author presents some important conclusions as to the economics of shipping in the Arctic and the Antarctic.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract of paper delivered at the First International Conference on "Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions" held at Trondheim, Norway, August 23-30, 1971
• Corporate Authors:

  POAC Conference

  ,    
• Authors:
  • Svendsen, A S
• Publication Date: 1971-8-23

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Development; Economic analysis; Icebreakers; International trade; Port operations; Ports; Shipping
• Geographic Terms: Arctic Regions
• Old TRIS Terms: Arctic shipping; Economic analysis (Arctic operations)
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00025685
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Arctic Institute of North America
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 28 1974 12:00AM