Current Ship Traffic Analysis at Northern Sea Route

While the media vigorously propagates historic Northern Sea Route (NSR) transits and researchers demonstrate viability of the NSR, the current usage by the shipping industry has been neglected thus far. This study aims to analyze the current ship traffic characteristics at NSR. The ship traffic data provided by Russia and the port call data obtained through a commercial provider are examined. Transit shipping along the NSR was performed by 2, 4, 41, 46, 71 and 53 ships respectively in 2009-2014 in the summers. Trade volumes remained unstable over the years. The results show that navigation season lasts for 5 months at NSR, and ice classes of Arc4 and Arc5 are used extensively. Despite Arctic nations, China, South Korea and Japan are active participants in the transit activities. Thus far, oil-and-gas transportation dominates the transits and most activities are destinational or domestic. However, without actual trajectories of activities, it remains difficult to determine the vessel speed on the NSR. The paper provides real statistics that can add value to the viability analysis. It identifies key players of the transits, exhibits trade pattern at NSR, and presents facts that interest shipping companies.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AW040 Standing Committee on Marine Safety and Human Factors.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Transportation Research Board

    500 Fifth Street, NW
    Washington, DC  United States  20001
  • Authors:
    • Zhang, Yiru
    • Meng, Qiang
  • Conference:
  • Date: 2016

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 14p
  • Monograph Title: TRB 95th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01589131
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: 16-1187
  • Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
  • Created Date: Feb 1 2016 9:27AM