Japan’s Weathernews has issued a report on sea ice trends in the Arctic Ocean for this year, published at a time where shipping in the region is receiving more interest than ever.
This summer, the Northwestern Passage – the Canadian side – is likely to open in mid-September, whereas the Northeastern Passage of the Arctic Ocean – the Russian side – has already opened in late August with a Cosco ship successfully transiting the route and a Maersk newbuild boxship midway through the journey.
The area of ice extent is melting at about the average rate recorded since 2010, and the minimum ice area is expected to be 4.4m sq km, about the same as last year and the sixth lowest since records began.
“This year, the transport of liquefied natural gas produced in the Arctic Ocean by specialized ships is gaining momentum, and regular usage of the Arctic Ocean passages is advancing,” Weathernews noted.
