Natural and Societal Challenges of the Northern Sea Route

The Northern Sea Route (NSR) through Russia's ice-infested Arctic waters can potentially halve sailing distances between Europe and Northeast Asia. It also passes by some of the world's largest oil and gas reserves. As we enter the 21st century, technological, political and even climatic developments are again making the NSR an interesting possibility. Is international, commercial shipping on NSR feasible - economically, technologically and environmentally? This has been the topic of six years of research within the International Northern Sea Route Programme (INSROP), enlisting the expertise of 450 researchers from 14 countries. Acknowledging the complexity of the problem, the research programme used a uniquely multi-disciplinary approach, with 104 sub-projects mapping and investigating relevant ship technology, the costs and benefits versus other transport routes, potential impacts on the environment and local indigenous peoples, the cargo potential, political and administrative obstacles, the availability of insurance, aspects of security, jurisdiction and environmental law, as well as other aspects.The results and conclusions of the 104 studies have been integrated and is presented in this book - the first book ever to address the Northern Sea Route in such a comprehensive manner.It is truly a reference work, which should be on the desk of all commercial and political decision-makers concerned with the commercial potential and future development of Northern Sea Route shipping - as well as other stakeholders and interested experts.