seatec - Finnish marine technology review 1/2011 | Page 28

The Northern Sea Route is the most direct seaway between northern Europe and the Far East. Covered with thick ice for much of the year, the route requires the few ships using it to sail in convoys accompanied by icebreakers. ABB’s Azipod azimuthing electric propulsion system combined with Aker Arctic’s double-acting ship concept means cargo vessels and tankers can sail the entire route without icebreakers. ABB marine technology helps open new super seaway between Europe and Asia vessel to sail from Murmansk to T he voyage between the port of Mur- Prior to the Monchegorsk’s historic jour- mansk and Shanghai, China, was ney, vessels crossing the frozen waters of Shanghai via the Northern Sea completed on October 17th by the Mon- the Northern Sea Route had to travel in Route – without the assistance of chegorsk, one of a fleet of five ice-class convoys and needed the costly assistance container ships owned by Norilsk Nickel, of icebreakers. They also faced a 60-65 day one of the world’s largest mining and met- journey home via the Indian Ocean, Suez als companies. Canal and northern Europe. 2010-12-06 – The first ever cargo icebreakers – recently completed its maiden crossing, cutting a 65-day journey on the return leg down Norilsk Nickel has extensive min- Now the journey time between to 19 days. ABB’s Azipod® electric ing and metallurgical operations in Arc- Dudinka and Shanghai has been cut to propulsion technology makes the tic Russia, and some of its most important 19–20 days, while the need for icebreak- year-round journey possible. markets are in China and Southeast Asia. er-escorted convoys and the long return 26 seatec 1/2011