The Northwest Passage in the Arctic: A Brief Assessment of the Relevant Marine Transportation System and Current Availability of Search and Rescue Services

Rebecca Sheehan, Dimitrios Dalaklis, Anastasia Christodoulou, Megan Drewniak, Peter Raneri and Angelos Dalaklis
Additional contact information
Rebecca Sheehan: U.S. Coast Guard on Secondment, Maritime Safety and Environmental Administration, World Maritime University, 211 18 Malmö, Sweden
Dimitrios Dalaklis: Maritime Safety and Environmental Administration, World Maritime University, 211 18, Malmö, Sweden
Anastasia Christodoulou: Maritime Safety and Environmental Administration, World Maritime University, 211 18, Malmö, Sweden
Megan Drewniak: U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Safety Unit Toledo, Toledo, OH 43604, USA
Peter Raneri: U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, USA
Angelos Dalaklis: Henley Business School, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UD, UK

Logistics, 2021, vol. 5, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: The analysis in hand provides a brief assessment of the United States’ and Canada’s marine transportation system and relevant search and rescue (SAR) support in relation to the Northwest Passage, with the purpose of examining to what extent these countries’ relevant infrastructure resources are able to meet the expected growth of shipping operations and business activities in the Arctic. Through an extensive literature review, this assessment will specifically describe the most important influences upon the maritime transportation system, with the issue of certain geographical details and the capabilities of existing ports standing out. Additionally, vessel activity trends and vessel traffic routing measure initiatives will be examined. Furthermore, the SAR infrastructure details and means to render assistance to people in distress along the Northwest Passage will be discussed. The reality remains that port characteristics are limited and vessel traffic routing measure initiatives and upgrades to SAR assets are commendable but slow-paced. It is true that both the United States and Canada are taking proper measures to build up infrastructure needs, but they both may run out of time to put adequate infrastructure in place to deal effectively with the changing environment.

Keywords: Arctic shipping; infrastructure; marine transportation system; search and rescue (SAR); logistics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L8 L80 L81 L86 L87 L9 L90 L91 L92 L93 L98 L99 M1 M10 M11 M16 M19 R4 R40 R41 R49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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