The Chinese Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) has released the “Guidances on Arctic Navigation in the Northwest Route 2015” that provides information on navigation services for ships planning operation in Arctic waters.
In light of the increasing interest the Northwest Passage has received due to global warming and ice recession, the guidances aim to give clear information on safe navigation through this route, which connects the northern Atlantic and Pacific Ocean through the Arctic Ocean. Numerous risks still remain along this route due to turbulent weather conditions and lack of infrastructure.
The report contains advice on hydrographic, meteorological, obstacle, waterway navigation, navigation facility, salvage services, port services, and other security guarantees information on the Arctic geographical environment and northwest route. It also takes into account the crew, ship, ship unloader, manipulation, and the relevant international conventions as well as coastal State management requirements.
Liu Pengfei, the spokesperson for China Ministry of Transport, commented: “Once this route is commonly used, it will directly change global maritime transportation and have a profound influence on international trade, the world economy, capital flow and resource exploitation”.
With an increasing number of Chinese flagged ships expected to use this route in the future, guidance is essential to mitigate the risks that remain regarding safety.
The report comes following an earlier release in April of a 356-page guide in Chinese that offers detailed route guidance from the northern coast of North America to the northern Pacific as a means of promoting the potential of the route and contains nautical charts and details on weather conditions.
The ministry itself will continue to issue guidance on navigation on other major sea routes across the world.
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