The predictions of sea ice melting in the Arctic Ocean cause some to envision a time when the Northwest Passage and the North-East Passage would become ice-free sea lanes. For centuries, European countries sent explorers to the far north to search for a trade route that would shorten the sailing time to Asia. Pack ice blocked wooden ships and some expeditions ended with ships crushed in the ice.

By 2007 climate change had reduced the pack ice in the Arctic Ocean; the Northwest Passage was clear enough during summer months for commercial ships to make the trip without the need for icebreakers. This route could shorten trips from European cities to Japan by as much as 4,000 nautical miles. Even so, surveys by Frederic Lasserre of Laval University show that shipping firms are not presently interested in Arctic shipping. In a survey of 125 firms from Asia, Europe, and North America, only 11 expressed any interest in shipping through the Northwest Passage.

In a second survey, only six out of 46 container shippers would consider an Arctic route. Lasserre, a researcher with an interest in the geopolitics of water, especially Arctic waters, says the northern passage is “never going to be a Panama Canal.” Shippers want predictable seas so they can meet schedules with large cargoes. The researcher notes that freeze-ups and break-ups of pack ice are unpredictable, ice-strengthened cargo ships are expensive, and insurance of ships in the Arctic is expensive. He adds that some shipping between Arctic communities and resources such as mines will likely increase.

While captains of large cargo ships may have little interest in the Northwest Passage today, skippers of smaller vessels are taking advantage of the open waters.

Borge Ousland will attempt to circumnavigate the Arctic Ocean by taking the Northeast and Northwest passages. With a crew of two, Ousland will use a trimaran sailboat, which can thread between icebergs and go onto ground when necessary.

This is the latest polar expedition by Ousland, who has made expeditions to the North Pole and the South Pole and crossed Greenland. He hopes this adventure will draw attention to dangers that are threatening the Arctic, such as sea routes or offshore oil-drilling.

The Norwegian is a photographer and writer and has chronicled his adventures for film and the Internet. He keeps a blog of the Northwest Passage adventure. A map of Ousland’s route is found at http://www.explorapoles.org/expeditions/detail/the_northern_passage_2010/

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