Short Northern Sea Route season forecast
Japanese weather company says the arctic will only be navigable for two months this year.
According to forecasts made by Japanese marine weather specialist, Weathernews, the Northern Sea Route will only be navigable for two months this year.
“Although shorter than the longest-ever record of 88 days marked last year, the passage is projected to stay open for approximately two months,” the Japan-based analyst said.
The ice area in the region is expected to shrink to 3.74m square kilometres in mid-September, which is the third smallest reading since records began in 1979.
In contrast, last year saw a longer season for passage making with record-high summer temperatures in Siberia accelerating ice loss.
