It is called the White Panama, in homage to Panama’s freight transport canal in Central America. This polar passage of the Great North is coming to Paris this week at the summit of the Poles. Called One Planet Polar Summit, from November 8 to 10, 2023, it is a world first. For the first time, experts on melting ice will speak directly to heads of state at the Peace Forum.
From a distance, it seems so easy! As the atmosphere warms and the pack ice thaws, boats will be able to navigate in the melted ice. For Russia, this means 30% fewer journeys. No more need to bypass Japan to the south to transport these goods to Europe, America or Africa. On paper, okay, except that we forget two things: the cold and the humidity. Containers must be equipped against the risk of mold. On the other hand, even in winter, patches of ice remain.
Slow speed and mold on board
This is why Russia, the main responsible for the coasts in the region, requires the presence of escort boats and icebreakers without any problem. “ Russia has established very strict regulations for this route which runs along its coastline, where authorization must already be requested, with the obligation to take on board an ice pilot to advise the commander of the ship, but also the escort of an icebreaker in areas crossed by pack ice, explains Hervé Baudu, from the École nationale supérieure maritime. Which means that this passage becomes a restrictive and paid passage, just like the Suez Canal. And it is with this in mind that Russia intends to set up an icebreaker project which would transport containers and will require them to be conditioned at so-called controlled temperatures. As for medicines, food products, cosmetic products or also chemical products, whether in bulk or liquid. »
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Among the countries most invested in these new routes in the Far North, we find China and the Emirates. The United Arab Emirates, which has just shared with Russia the launch of a new large container transport company in the Far North. As for China, it includes its new maritime routes in its globalized transport project called the Silk Roads.
Be careful, pollution
So be careful, warns Anne Choquet, one of the greatest international experts on the poles. At the summit, which is being held in Paris, she wants to address governments around the world. His theory? Prevent now the risks incurred by too much traffic in the Far North. Oil, for example. In the event of an accident: pollution, oil spills.
“ China communicates a lot about this desire to take these routes. Also businesses, tourist operators. The risks are real not only for human safety, but also for environmental protection. » This is precisely the reason for the creation of this One Planet Polar Summit, the first international summit dedicated to the pole in Paris.
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