Expert forecasts more favorable ice situation on Northern Sea Route for 30 years ahead

Ice situation on the Northern Sea Route was ideal throughout the summer navigation period of 2018 though the navigation began later than scheduled, IAA PortNews correspondent cites Aleksandr Kalashnikov, Head of the Navigational, Hydrographic & Hydrometeorological Department of the Northern Sea Route Administration, as saying at the “Arctic Projects – Today and Tomorrow” conference held in Arkhangelsk.

Aleksandr Kalashnikov mentioned the findings of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute saying that ice situation on the Northern Sea Route for 30 years ahead will be more favorable than now.

“Many foreign experts speak about possible ice sheet loss but that is not expected, of course. It is possible that ice-free period will increase but there is no forecast of ice loss. There will be ice changes, but that is about ice thickness, not about ice area”, he emphasized.

A group of Russian scientists earlier made the following forecast for the end of the century: if global warming does not slow down, oil tankers and other cargo ships will be able to sail freely in the Arctic seas with occasional need for icebreaker assistance. The navigation period will last for 6 months minimum.