The Northwest Passage could be the newest shipping route
- 6 years ago
THE ARCTIC — As climate change continues to impact the Arctic, countries are planning to use the Northwest Passage as a shortcut shipping route, reports online magazine Grist.
Currently, the Suez Canal and Panama Canal are used as major shipping routes in the world.
However in the future, ships traveling from Japan to western Europe could be able to travel north through the Bering Strait to Europe.
This would slash the travel route from 13,000 miles to about 7000 miles and could potentially cut shipping prices in half.
Ships traveling from Yokohama Port could also make the journey through the Northwest Passage to New York City in about 21 days instead of the standard 25 days, traveling 7,480 nautical miles instead of 9,720 nautical miles through the Panama Canal.
As the ships travel through the Arctic, some are worried that fossil fuels used by the vessels may harm the already fragile Arctic ecosystem.
Scientists estimate that by 2050 there will be no more ice in the Arctic.
Currently, the Suez Canal and Panama Canal are used as major shipping routes in the world.
However in the future, ships traveling from Japan to western Europe could be able to travel north through the Bering Strait to Europe.
This would slash the travel route from 13,000 miles to about 7000 miles and could potentially cut shipping prices in half.
Ships traveling from Yokohama Port could also make the journey through the Northwest Passage to New York City in about 21 days instead of the standard 25 days, traveling 7,480 nautical miles instead of 9,720 nautical miles through the Panama Canal.
As the ships travel through the Arctic, some are worried that fossil fuels used by the vessels may harm the already fragile Arctic ecosystem.
Scientists estimate that by 2050 there will be no more ice in the Arctic.