Analysis of the Current Situation and Economic Benefits of Chinese Merchant Ship Passage Through the Arctic Northeast Passage

Abstract

With the expansion of the “Arctic Amplification” effect, the navigable period of the Arctic Northeast Passage (NEP) has gradually been lengthened, and its regular operation in summer has become a realistic possibility. Starting from the actual voyage data of Chinese merchant ships navigating the NEP, this paper analyzes the number of ships and voyages, ice class and ship type distribution, cargo volume and cargo type, transportation route distribution, navigable period and ice-breaking pilotage, and then calculates the profit of merchant ships. The results show that the voyage number and cargo volume of Chinese merchant ships shipping via the NEP are at a relatively low level, but in terms of the general trend, the number of voyages of Chinese merchant ships shipping via the NEP is increasing year by year, and the cargo volume of Chinese merchant ships is also increasing. With the accelerated melting of the Arctic sea ice, the navigable period for ships to pass has been prolonged, which has greatly increased the possibility of regular commercial operation in the NEP; At present, Chinese merchant ships have a chance to operate in the NEP; With the accelerated melting of sea ice, the period for Chinese merchant ships to pass has been extended, thus making it possible for the NEP to realize regular commercial operation.

Keywords

• arctic northeast passage
• normalized operations
• economic benefits of shipping