Cover Story Breakbulk & Project Cargo
Arctic MPV transits increasing despite difficulties
By Keith Wallis
Shorter transits and cost savings are luring more multipurpose vessel( MPV) carriers into Arctic waters, with a jump in sailings through the Northern Sea Route in Russia this year and a steady flow of traffic through the Northwest Passage in Canada.
Norway’ s Centre for High North Logistics, which tracks vessels through the Northern Sea Route, reported 52 voyages up to the end of August, the latest figures available, in a season that usually lasts until November. At the same time last year, the Centre reported 30 transits.
“ During a limited period a year, the Northwest Passage presents an alternative to the Panama Canal for certain types of vessels.”
Western sanctions on Russia due to the war in Ukraine meant most using the Northern Sea Route were Russianor Chinese-controlled operators, including Fesco and Hong Kong Top Honor Shipping, which sailed its multipurpose vessels Sunny Grace and Sunny Faith through the region this year.
The Scott Polar Research Institute( SPRI), which monitors shipping along the Northwest Passage, recorded 35 transits in this year’ s sailing season between August and October, similar to the 38 voyages in 2024.
Highlighting the potential advantages of both routes, Guus van der Linde, spokesperson at Netherlandsheadquartered MPV operator Royal Wagenborg, told the Journal of Commerce,“ During a limited period a year, the Northwest Passage presents an alternative to the Panama Canal for certain types of vessels and shipping routes, resulting in a reduced transit time, cost savings and strategic flexibility.”
The company said that for one voyage, the Northwest Passage was 3,750 nautical miles shorter than the traditional route via the Panama Canal, resulting in about 14 days less sailing and thus a reduction in emissions of over 40 %. www. joc. com December 2025 | Journal of Commerce 7