The Nunavik, Fednav’s most modern icebreaking ship is one of the first commercial vessels to transit the Northwest Passage completely and the first to do so unescorted with an Arctic cargo. The 31,700-DWT bulk carrier sailed September 19, 2014 from Deception Bay in Northern Québec carrying a cargo of nickel concentrate bound for the port of Bayuquan, Liaoning Province, China. Estimated time of arrival at the Chinese port is October 18.
By favouring the Northwest Passage over the regular Panama Canal route, the Nunavik will save roughly 5,000 nautical miles (9,400 km) or 20 days of sailing and therefore more than 1,300 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
The vessel is supported by shore-based team of experienced Arctic operators and ice navigation specialists from its subsidiary, Enfotec. The vessel will receive regular ice charts including real-time satellite imagery in order to operate Enfotec’s proprietory onboard ice-navigation system, IcenavTM, further enabling safe and efficient transit.
“Fednav is proud to have designed this remarkable ship and to plan the first independent commercial voyage through the Northwest Passage,” said Paul Pathy. “It is through the extraordinary capabilities of the Fednav team, the ship’s crew, and its world-leading technology that we can undertake this journey with confidence.”
Last September, the Nordik Orion operated by Denmark’s Nordik Bulk Carriers delivered British Columbia coal from Port Metro Vancouver to Finland via the NWP. It was escorted part of the way by a Canadian heavy icebreaker, the Louis S. St-Laurent.
To follow the Nunavik in this crossing, visit http: http://www.fednav.com/en/voyage-nunavik
Source: Maritime Magazine
