Marine industry readies for a new ice age

摘要

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced last: month that his country hopes to export 50 million tons of oil annually to the U.S., according to a the RIA Novosti news agency. If Russian oil exports increase at projected rates, a large proportion will move via tanker from ice affected ports. The Russian oil boom is one reason why last year year, an astonishing $4.5 billion was invested in Ice Class new-buildings—mostly high spec class 1-A tonnage. Clarkson Research studies determined that there are 262 Ice Class 1A ships in operation, equivalent to 4.2 million dwt, with 70-80% of them under 20,000 dwt. In March, Clarkson Research's Stephen Gordon told a London forum that "there are 234 vessels with ice strengthening on order. Some 165 are Ice Class 1A and three are Ice Class 1A Super."