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Technological and environmental challenges of Arctic shipping - a case study of a fictional voyage in the Arctic

Abstract

Shipping in Arctic seas is challenging and poses an environmental risk. This paper presents a fictional case involving a multipurpose supply vessel transporting one large object (a 750-tonne compressor) and 24 containers loaded with chemicals and equipment for use by the petroleum industry in western Siberia. With technical details representative of vessels navigating the Arctic today, the fictitious ship Oleum has an ice class sufficient for navigating unaccompanied in the Barents and Kara seas, so no assistance is in range when, in late October, clogged fuel filters cause engine failure and the vessel eventually drifts ashore. Heeling over, Oleum loses both cargo and marine diesel oil. The scenario includes a successful helicopter rescue of the 16 crewmembers and a partial recovery of oil and chemicals by booms and skimmers. Recovery of chemicals with physical properties not allowing mechanical collection is not attempted. The scenario ends as the abandoned wreck is broken down at the stranding location, and containers rupture and discharge their cargo. The scenario postulates a moderate and short-lived environmental impact. The most visible effects of the grounding are the hull itself, the compressor and the spreading effects and degradation of oil and chemicals unmanageable for the clean-up operations.
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Category

Academic article

Language

English

Author(s)

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Ocean / Energi og transport
  • SINTEF Ocean / Skip og havkonstruksjoner
  • Akvaplan-niva AS

Date

26.05.2016

Year

2016

Published in

Polar Research

ISSN

0800-0395

Volume

35:27977

Issue

2016

Page(s)

1 - 12

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository