Kip Hansen News Brief — September 11, 2024 — 500 words
There is an interesting story from gCaptain – “The world’s leading marine and offshore website, we are dedicated to providing quality news and building an interactive community of marine professionals.”
“In desperate move, Russia sends first conventional LNG tanker through Arctic” by Malte Humpert — September 8, 2024. Why is this a “desperate move”?
“In a risky move aimed at overcoming Western sanctions on Russian LNG Manufacturer Novatek has sent ice free class Liquefied natural gas carrier Everest Energy on the icy waters of Northern Sea Route. This is the first time a common carrier has tested this route.”
“This voyage represents a further escalation of the risk profile of shipping in the Arctic. Everest Energy does not have a license from Russia’s Arctic licensing authority, the Northern Sea Route Administration. It is also traveling under a suspension order. Palau Flag with it P&I Insurance status unknown.”
If you know the name of a ship, you can almost always find information about the ship itself, and if you are willing to pay a small fee, you will know its current location. For Everest Energy we can look at MarineTraffic.comIt was reported that, as of eight days ago, the ship was moving north of Murmansk. gCaptain reports that it is currently in the Kara Sea heading east.
Mid-September is definitely a good time to try this passage out in an unusual way.The ship is classified as an ice ship..
“Everest Energy is part of Russia’s emerging LNG submarine fleet First reported by gCaptain in early August. It has come to Arctic LNG 2 project for the second time last week and departed late on September 6. Since then, it has entered the Kara Sea and is moving east towards Asia.”
This is an animation of Arctic Sea Ice Concentration over the past 90 days from National Snow and Ice Data Center:
[to see the animation, click the arrow in the center or in the lower left corner]
That approved LNG is now moving up and across the length of Russia toward markets in Asia. There appears to be plenty of ice left in the East Siberian Sea — which may require icebreakers.
While we have an animation of Arctic Sea Ice, let’s look at the other side, Northwest Passage Canada – while listening amazing Stan Rodgers sings his song of the same name [pick you music server below the title].
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Author’s comments:
The wind is quite strong to move a ship like this. Everest Energy into the frozen land. I wish them luck.
If the planet warmed a little more, we could ease the current traffic congestion at the Panama Canal.
Thanks for reading.
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