Global Warming - A boon for Shipping

Deep blue of sea is replacing lifeless white of ice at poles. This global warming development may be a cause of concern for the environmentalists but for the world shipping it has opened up new vistas of opportunity.

Following the Northern Arctic route would mean a saving of 22 days of sailing and  thousand tons of bunkers over the orthodox Suez canal route. Russian and US naval escorts would make up for the Egyptian hospitality offered enroute the usual passage. All in all, it's gonna be a jackpot haul to it's destination during the two months of August and September.

Nonetheless, it is too early for international maritime to put too many eggs in the Arctic basket. Whereas, ice remains an uncertain show-stopper, environmentalists are surely bound to throw a spanner in the Northern route.