World’s largest container shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) have signed a five-year impact partnership agreement to support shipping's decarbonisation.
MSC Says Black Carbon, Environmental Impacts Prohibit Arctic Passage For Cargo
In view of the recent public debate around container shipping in the Arctic, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has doubled down on its position to avoid considering the Northern Sea Route, including the Northeast and Northwest Passages on environmental grounds.
An expansion of Arctic shipping could increase the emissions of so-called black carbon – physical particles of unburned carbon which can settle on land or ice, as well as compromising air quality and accelerating the shrinkage of Arctic sea ice. Risks such as navigation incidents, fuel spills, air quality and altering the ecological balance / biodiversity of the marine habitat beneath the surface of the sea also outweigh any commercial opportunities to make a short cut between North America or Europe and eastern Russia or Asia.
Soren Toft, CEO of MSC MSC has reaffirmed its stance against long haul Arctic shipping in light of renewed discussion of alternative routes between Asia and Europe following the blockage of the Suez Canal.
The closure of the Suez Canal by the Ever Given from 23 – 29 March, that could have potentially lasted much longer, prompted renewed discussion of alternative routes that avoid key choke points such as the Suez Canal, but do not necessitate much longer voyages as sailing via the Cape of Good Hope does.
One such solution is the Northern Sea Route (NSR) through the Russian Arctic which has seen increased activity and interest in recent years with it being ice free in the summer months.
Swiss shipping line MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company says it is doubling down on its commitment to avoid sending ships through the Arctic as some debate the need for alternative trade routes to the Suez Canal following the Ever Given grounding.
Company President Diego Aponte first made the pledge in 2019, promising that the company would not use the Northern Sea Route for shipping between Asia and Europe over environmental concerns, joining rivals CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd and others in making the pledge.
Now MSC’s new CEO, Soren Toft, a former Maersk executive who joined the company in December, is now reaffirming the company’s commitment to avoid the famed and increasingly accessible Arctic route, including Northeast and Northwest Passages.