Container vessel Venta Maersk has successfully passed through the Northern Sea Route, conducting a one-off trial passage. It arrived in Saint Petersburg after 37 days.
On Friday, 28 September, the Venta Maersk called the port of Saint Petersburg, Russia, successfully completing a trial passage of the Northern Sea Route. The Venta Maersk, one of Maersk Line’s new Baltic feeders, embarked on its voyage on 22 August in the port of Vladivostok, Russia. The route included further stops at Vostochny Stevedoring Company and Busan, before passing through the Bering Strait on 6 September on its way to Bremerhaven.
Operational Experience
Maersk underlines that this was a one-off trial meant to gain operational experience, test vessel systems, crew capabilities and the functionality of the shore based support setup.
The vessel and all systems aboard performed well in the unfamiliar environment. While the passage is feasible around this time of the year and marked by a lack of obstructive ice, ice conditions in the East Siberian Sea required assistance by icebreakers.
Precautionary Measures and Special Training
Maersk had taken different precautionary measures to ensure that the trial was done with the highest considerations for the safety of crew, cargo, environment, and vessel. During the trial, Maersk has been in close and regular dialogue with the Northern Sea Route Administration and ice breaker companies. The crew underwent special training and was joined by Northern Sea Route certified ice Pilots during the entire transit.
Not Yet a Viable Commercial Alternative
'Currently, we do not see the Northern Sea Route as a viable commercial alternative to existing east-west routes. In general, we plan new services according to trading patterns, population centres and our customers demand,' says Palle Laursen, Chief Technical Officer at Maersk. 'That said, we do follow the development of the Northern Sea Route. Today, the passage is only feasible for around three months a year, which may change with time. Furthermore, we also must consider that ice-classed vessels are required to make the passage, which means an additional investment.'
On Venta Maersk
- Maersk Line’s new Baltic feeders are among the world’s largest ice-class vessels designed specifically to operate in cold waters (down to -25 degrees C), where ice-class (stronger hull) is required to offer year-round operations. They have a nominal capacity of 3596 TEU and is equipped with 600 reefer plugs.
- Venta Maersk is the fourth of seven sister vessels and was delivered on July 11, 2018.
- Its already delivered sister ships are deployed in the Sealand – a Maersk company (formerly known as Seago Line’s) Baltic feeder network serving Russia and calling St. Petersburg. They have sheltered forecastle deck for safe mooring operations in winter conditions and enclosed bridge wings for safe manoeuvring and harbour approach. Their propeller and rudder design has been optimised for lowest fuel consumption.
- In addition, the vessels use marine fuel that is fully compliant with the Emission Control Area (ECA) rules, established by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
- On its voyage from Busan to Bremerhaven, Venta Maersk carried 660 reefer containers.
