Russia Planning Year-Round Navigation of the Northern Sea Route (aka Polar Express) in Early 2024

Polar Express - Russia Planning Year-Round Navigation of the Northern Sea Route
What's Going on With Shipping?
May 25, 2023
In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner - discusses the announcement by Russia's state nuclear energy corporation and largest natural gas producer along with Vladimir Putin, to open up the eastern portion of the Northern Sea Route in early 2024.
#supplychain #arctic #russia
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Russia Planning Year-Round Navigation of the Northern Sea Route in Early 2024
gcaptain.com/russia-planing-y...

[@macnachten8822]

Speaking of ice...when can we have a an independent conversation about the great lakes fleet? Age of the vessels, profit margins, the choke point Soo locks, transit seasons, the lack of shipbuilding (only one bulk built in the last 40 yrs), icebreaker problem, the unfulfilled need for sailors in the light of sailors retiring, etc. etc. etc...please put together a knowledgeable and comprehensive video or series of videos calling attention to determination of the great lakes fleet...Please

[@timnechtan4549]

What we are witnessing on the Great Lakes is a fascinating natural experiment in protectionism versus free trade. Canada’s embrace of the latter has led to new investment and modernized vessels while the United States finds itself with an ancient fleet and little commercial shipbuilding. The superior choice is clear. Washington should follow Ottawa’s lead and allow free trade in ships by eliminating the Jones Act’s U.S.-built requirement. Or better yet, repeal the law entirely. - Colin Grabow

[@williamlloyd3769]

@@timnechtan4549he U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC) tracks and publishes the Great Lakes yearly maximum ice coverage. During the winter period, which runs from December 1 to April 30, average ice cover on the Great Lakes declined 69 percent between 1973-2017. Interestedly, lack of ice coverage causes a lot to issues re more storm damage on the coastline and other environmental damage.

[@SteamCrane]

​@@timnechtan4549 Result, Chinese crews on Mississippi barge tows, and no capacity for naval shipbuilding. In fact, US lakers last a long time on the fresh water Great Lakes, and have been upgraded continuously, repowered, hulls and holds maintained and renewed. It's like talking about the very old M1 Abrams tanks as obsolete, but they have been continuously upgraded, and are still very effective. There are a significant number of viable, productive Great Lakes vessels 70 to 80 years old working today. A few years ago, I got aboard a boat built in 1906, and it was nice, still producing revenue. It's still sailing today, converted to a tug/barge. Additionally, several pre-existing US built huge tug-barge sets have been acquired from salt water service, adding capacity. Conversely, Canadian boats go out the St. Lawrence to salt water, thus deteriorate quickly, thus need to be replaced much more often. Most of the tonnage hauled by US boats is by the ~dozen massive 1000 feet by 105 feet "footers", with the older boats serving smaller harbors, carrying limestone and salt to tight places where there are no unloading facilities, and they can use their 250' booms to place material in a tall pile 200+ feet in from a dock face. At this time, there are more boats than cargoes, so several boats are usually in layup, or being upgraded. There is no shortage of capacity.

[@dilligafwoftam985]

The US Govt won't build any vessels that don't carry a gun and can't be used to threaten others ...

[@macnachten8822]

@SteamCrane thank-you for a great response. I wonder though, would not a concerted effort to replace the shorter (650 - 750ft) boats with self unloading capability not be a prudent action in looking forward to the future. We talk about the here and the now, but in 20 to 50 years, where will we be? Replacing vessels on the G.L. from the Great Lakes (without being brought through the Seawaymax locks from salt water) seems to me to be a bit of an insurance policy against future shortfalls. Indeed, there are more vessels than cargo currently, but do we expect there to be a continously falling off of cargo to be moved? If so, does this mean that the Great Lake producers are dying off and that cargo is being moved across the oceans? I'm just thinking that a robust and modern Great Lakes fleet in good times and bad is far better than a tired, worn and old fleet. In 30 years, will those same 60 to 110 year old hulls still be viable for the work when once again there is more cargo than vessels? Or...and perhaps more likely at this point, I'm just an old man living in a distant past?

[@bryangrote8781]

Love the Magnum shirt! I still watch re-runs of the original show and it's as good as when I was a kid. Magnum P.I. is one of the best ever shows on TV and your channel, one of the best on YT!

[@roderickcampbell2105]

IHi Bryan. I'd prefer a suit and Hawaii 5-0 but the shirt is cool. But I never watched Magnum either. Maybe some day.

[@iannarita9816]

PS. Before I forget, Churchill, Manitoba, the Canadians talk every once in a while about reopening this for grain.

[@bc-guy852]

Always a pleasure to listen to you Dr. Sal. And that shirt ROCKS!!

[@jeffbangkok]

Morning coffee with Sal

[@iannarita9816]

FWIW column At the beginning of WWII the Germans paid the Soviets to give passage and escort a German merchant raider. The ship sailed north and was repainted to a Soviet merchant ship. Sailed to Japan and was repainted to something else. I have to look for the details.

[@AllNighterHeider]

I used to watch Magnum PI as a kid. I can hear the song and see the bubble copter in my head now. Thanks Sal

[@jimmyrk3]

Sal, Thanks for introducing me to gCaptian. I have really enjoyed the reading and your commentary on the articles.

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

1: 51, some people will probably understand this map by knowing the north pole is in the map's center and Canada and the United States is on the left side, with russia on the right side.

[@jasonevans-77]

Russia has about 30-40 ice breakers. 20 that are strictly icebreakers, 10 that are military ship ice breakers, ?10? That are tool ice breakers. They are for drilling oil and mining. Rumor has it that they also have Approximately 10-20 cargo/oil container ships that are middle to lightweight icebreakers. USA had 5, and as Sal says. They only have 1 in operation. Since Russia has been building their armada, it seems that America has invested in building up China's economy, and Afghanistan's new industrial military complex. Trillions in military spending? Congress .... you did that...

[@jasonevans-77]

I get my information from Deagel. They used to post accurate information, until they got busted last year for posting NEW WORLD ORDER agenda manifesto information. Now most of their information is arbitrary, at best. (They kinda let you know stuff). The UN allowed them to be the clearinghouse for military weapons accountability for years. Then.... they let the cat out of the bag 🤑😺 💰 😶😶 P S🤐

[@datadavis]

Time to stop fucking the world over i think.

[@jasonevans-77]

*Disclaimer* Deagel Clearinghouse information is accurate, the other information (which has since, been removed) is arbitrary. One could accurately navigate the site to view how each country is spending their military dollars, and on what. They have maintained their integrity on statistical data, regarding: GDP, Military spending, population(this stat is in accordance with the country's accountability, and has no bearing on Deagel reporting), scheduled purchases, and inventory. Nice site to spend some time viewing.

[@scottmccutcheon9828]

"Trillions in military spending? Congress ...you did that..." And they've doing it for decades, wouldn't you agree? Unfortunately, our U.S. federal "govern - ment" is a grifters paradise, filled with an exceeding number of overeducated midwhits intent on selling out our country. Remember when the U.S.A. used to be the manufacturing powerhouse of the World. Nowadays what is billed as "manufacturing" is really nothing other than Lego / Erector Set factories, assembling components manufactured in foreign lands, a large part in China. Add to the equation that our "brilliant representatives" in "govern - ment" pay farmers and ranchers to abort crops and annihilate herds of animals. Brilliant recipe for success, isn't it? What are the two primary "exports" the U.S. still has (though rapidly being rendered less consequential....IMO, a good thing)? The Debt (USD hegemony) and Death (U.S. MIC) paradigm our "govern - ment" has been exporting for many decades, particularly after August 15, 1971. It ought become glaringingly clear to all Americans that our nation has been sold out when the current occupier of the Secretary of Treasury's office is directly engaged in foreign policy negotiations and promises of foreign aid. I don't affiliate with either political party, viewing both as two sides of the same coin : one side overtly communist (the dems), the repubs (with exceeding rare exception) slightly less so and, both will to spend in to oblivion, the majority of which are nothing other than gigantic money laundering schemes. All by design! The only ones I give a modicum of benefit of the doubt are the few repubs that are serving their freshman term. But alas, I think I'm likely preaching to the choir, so to speak, as guessing by your comment, your sentiments are likely somewhat similar, correct? Man, do we have a LOT of work to do to get this stuff sorted out! PEACE and be well.

[@scottmccutcheon9828]

@@jasonevans-77 Jason, that Deagel Clearinghouse site, is that the same Deagel that for a number of years forecast a mass depopulation of the U.S.A. down to roughly 99.9 million people by 2025?

[@dmcarpenter2470]

In Russia, icebreaker melt you.

[@terracotta6294]

Does that mean the Russian icebreakers are heated too? That is very intelligent technology, especially if they use lasers. All for good purposes 👍

[@dmcarpenter2470]

@@terracotta6294 Atomic heating

[@terracotta6294]

​@@dmcarpenter2470 My phone is hacked aggressively! I just responded to you with resources on why I have the opinion I stand with Russia 🇷🇺 - that Ukraine invaded Crimea in 2014 and continued a civil war for 8 years, first funded by George Soros gave them 1billion dollars in private money, approved by Obama to fund Terrorism. President Putin gave a concise speech that he was causing a military action on Ukraine - I posted it in my Economy blogpost, since many want to blame Russia 🇷🇺 for bad economy when USA has been funding terrorism for years - they want a world war to reduce population and KEEP THEIR NAZI-made wealth! My whole comment was deleted! Obviously proving the spineless way they control the population, which is blowing up in their faces! And I hope all their wealth is seized very soon - this will fix the economy and I hope they are taken out of society! These blogposts are not monitized or monitored. Share what you want. Make it your own statement. This is a hobby. I do not seek support 💲 from anyone. I hope to save people time in learning the truth and shared enough of myself to reflect I am a real person. 1 🐸Ukraine Invasion Began in 2014! thunderflower2021.blogspot.com/2023/05/ukraine-invasion-began-in-2014.html?m=1 Ukraine On Fire www.publiusroots.com/2022/03/ukraine-on-fire.html/?m=1 Posted 5/26/2023 😊

[@jonmccormick8683]

Good explanation of why Russia nuclear icebreakers and Russia Energy rule the arctic. -Not the easiest conditions to work in either. Can be used as power plants when needed.

[@iannarita9816]

PSS had to hurry my last. Churchill, MB on James Bay in the Artic. The Canadians have used this as a grain port in the past, the last shipment though was a stranded Via Rail train, that got stuck in Churchill after a derailment and the railroad company didn't have the money to repair the tracks. First Nations bought the line and repaired it. (Its was cheaper then having to fly supplies in).

[@SteamCrane]

Good to hear that the locals rebuilt it. CDN govt is too idiotic to do anything useful.

[@manuelportilla6092]

Before 1985 this used to be a busy route. Hundreds of ships would get together in Providence Bay and then would be escorted by ice breakers.

[@sparkyfromel]

The Western polar is used much more than the Eastern ,Yamal natural gas is the big user , for Asia trading the Eastern part has to be used Russia has been into polar routes since Bering working for the Czar discovered the straits , they had atomic powered ice breaker since the 1960ies as a matter of fact icebreakers pretty much require nuclear power plant , the huge fuel consumption make long transit near impossible

[@ericmason349]

Would it be too much to ask for the U.S. to build a nuclear icebreaker? The US seems to operate a number of nuclear power plants on submarines. Maybe it would be a big leap for the US Coast Guard? They are the ones operating the icebreakers, right?

[@SteamCrane]

US is pretty much ignoring the Arctic, we will regret that eventually.

[@ABC-ABC1234]

@@SteamCrane Yeah because they want to dominate all chokepoints of the world, by constantly harassing Russia and China at every chance they get! Not a smart plan! USA's plans in Ukraine aren't going smoothly either are they?

[@user-xk8mq5ic9k]

The North West Passage is a bit less favourable than the Northern Sea Route and would require even more investment. And USA already rule the seven seas. And USA has much better ports to trade with China and to trade with Europe respectively, no Northwest passage needed. Compare to Russia's situation? Nuclear ice breakers potentially makes Russian enormous coast line into a ... coast line, rather than just frozen wastes. And also, actually opening up the Northern Sea Route might allow Russia and China to circumvent a lot of the US Geopolitical power that comes from USA ruling the seven seas. There is just astronomically more value for Russia to develop these ships than it is for USA.

[@andreimoutchkine5163]

Icebreakers mostly crush the ice by jumping out and onto it. They also generate bubbles!

[@SteamCrane]

Apples vs oranges. Russia has limited ice-free ports, and has always struggled with the ice bound Northern ports. Remember the Murmansk convoys. The US doesn't have that problem, thus has much less need for icebreakers, other than on the Great Lakes and a couple temperate region ports. These needs are served well by small icebreakers like the Bay class and ice capable buoy tenders, plus Mackinaw. Also, Great Lakes freighters and tugs are somewhat ice strengthened, and can break a couple feet of ice by themselves, but not pressure ridges. Russia would benefit greatly by being able to access both the Atlantic and Pacific from their Northern ports, especially with energy products, thus needs a bunch of polar class ships. Canada has some ice-sensitive ports, thus could use a couple polar icebreakers.

[@eherrmann01]

Great video as usual Sal. Could you do a video on the two U.S. polar icebreakers? Your comments have made me curious.

[@wgowshipping]

It will not be pretty.

[@gus473]

​@@wgowshippingYour description of them in the commentary was a reasonable description, sadly enough. (sigh) ⚓😎✌️

[@andreimoutchkine5163]

@@wgowshipping Trump redirected the funding to his Space Marines! Piu! Piu! :)

[@terracotta6294]

​@@wgowshipping I disagree, if you wear your Tom Selleck shirt again! 😘

[@aaronfranklin324]

The US icebreakers are toys. Puny barely worthy of the term. The Northern Searoute is BTW pretty damn wide open year round now. The ice forming off Siberia from katabatic winds off the land is melting as it blows off the shallow shelf as warm volcanically heated waters are drawn up from below. There are no deep keeled pressure ridges or icebergs left now. It's all first or second year slush.

[@laurenglass4514]

They are land locked sort of . The Black Sea is a very important access they need any access they can get from their country.

[@crapmalls]

It's open all year round except for when it isn't

[@Fish_Ventura]

Thanks Sal

[@dickdaley9059]

The promotion of Russian arctic sea routes come as a surprise to no one. The US has only one need for ice breakers. McMurdo Station in the Antarctic which is operated by The National Science Foundation (NSF) requires resupply by ship, rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft on a regular schedule. Other than this commitment, we have no real demand for ice breaking vessels. 🇺🇸⚓️

[@gragor11]

1590's the Dutch were financing voyages of discovery on not only the North West Passage but also the North East Passage. Pretty amazing eh? 400+ years later here we are working on getting it done.

[@tpaw6908]

Thanks Mr. President SAL. Been listening just thought id dhout out. School is over? China & Russia im plan sickened by the lack are government has taken on ships , shipping and keeping our greatest seas safe. Have a great summer its still crazy weather in SC. ❤🙏👍💯

[@davidpawson7393]

On Russia's north shore they've built a large CNG/LPG facility with an even larger one that's under construction that will be the permanent facility. These will be served by a fleet of LPG/CNG ships that will break ice for themselves. If i remember correctly there will initially be 12 of these ships. Think ice breaker with the three big spheres on them.

[@andreimoutchkine5163]

15, and they are already done. Now up for the second batch.

[@geraldineaherne9763]

Interesting report, Sal. Love the shirt.

[@mako88sb]

Pretty ambitious but I recall videos about all the Soviet era nuclear powered lighthouses built in the Arctic. Still, year round? How many icebreakers would they need to keep a route open during the coldest months of the year? Thanks for the interesting and informative video!

[@chillxxx241]

It’s interesting for Russia and China. It is a “strategic” imperative or what we call a “money pit”. Very little economic value. China and Russia are also assuming that European countries will want to trade with Russia and China as they become more aggressive militarily which so far doesn’t look like a great assumption. Russia is also investing in very expensive rail projects to connect with Iran. China has been losing billions of dollars with its “similar” Belt and Road projects.

[@andrejmucic5003]

Thanks!

[@oddvardmyrnes9040]

Again, the sanctions have created a sense of urgency for the Russians. When will the world realize that Russia is NOT the Soviet Union? As a Norwegian, the NE sea route is of immense importance. It has the potential to develop Norway as an important maritime nation, yet again.

[@larrylawson5172]

I believe I detected snarky. "One that works!" I really don't understand why both sides of Congress (and I don't mean the deliberative bodies. I mean the elephants and the mules.) aren't engaged in this issue. Even more that the military that is not screaming about this issue. The Navy was hem hawing about this in a recent hearing. "It's a USCG issue (use a dismissive tone of voice)." Is the feeling that since the NW Passage runs mostly through Canada that it is a Canadian issue? I doubt that Canada has the financial ability to put together a massive fleet of heavy polar icebreakers. Why would we cede this important international geopolitical issue to the Russians and Chinese?

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

My answer, after 44 years of studying into it, is Witch-in-town DC has become corrupt to the point it's malfunctioning to that degree. But that's only a symptom among many. The United States of America was founded and operated by people of the tribe of Ephraim of Israel. Matthew 24: 4, 6, 7 and especially 8 now applies to the world. Deuteronomy 28: 1- 14 could apply but doesn't. 🔸~Deuteronomy 28: 15 - 68 have begun to apply instead ~🔸 The "stranger among you" is Still crossing the Southern Invasion Route daily, Sponsored and protected by the captured US government. 🔺Because the USA people disdain their Creator's laws. There are 7 Scriptures commanding the 7th Day Sabbath. There are 0 Scriptures commanding a weekly sun day observance. 0.

[@watchthe1369]

The way the rivers freeze up and thaw in Russia, it would not do them a whole lot of good. It would maybe simplify oil delivery, but not much else other than making it far easier to transfer the Northern and Eastern naval fleets back and forth.

[@SteamCrane]

Developing - Mark W Barker inbound Fairport OH, G-Tug Ohio came from Cleveland to assist. Very rare to see a tug assist in Fairport, it's a straight in channel.

[@SteamCrane]

At 0300, Barker is unloading at the turning basin, making use of her forward mounted boom, swung out 90 degrees. Ohio's track shows that she did assist Barker in, and all the way up to her first unloading spot, then returned to Cleveland. Wonder if there is a remaining mechanical issue since the grounding.

[@thomasridley8675]

Building up and maintaining a polar route will be very expensive. Making me question its long term financial viability.

[@tedmoss]

That's why it hasn't been done in 400 years.

[@thomasridley8675]

@@tedmoss 👍

[@Cal94]

and here, canada has plans only for 2 new breakers in the works...

[@tiitsaul9036]

Thanks

[@campbellpaul]

I noticed when I went to Hawaii some years ago that I was the only guy wearing a Hawaiian shirt.. And I was the only guy with a beard lol

[@NautilusSSN571]

Reality is often disappointing

[@campbellpaul]

@@NautilusSSN571 I'm expert at being an outsider 😅

[@crapmalls]

Oh and this Friday is Hawaiian shirt day

[@campbellpaul]

@@crapmalls They aren't easy to find in New Mexico, where I live.

[@luiul1]

you need a merch store. i didn't say anything about your previous shirt as this is not a fashion channel.

[@ross-sy7rh]

love the shirt! Your stile informs me.

[@pseudoscientist8010]

Magnum P.I. "in the house"!

[@martineastburn3679]

I hate to advertise but I went to Two of these Universities: "We are the proud home of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, housed at the Texas A&M University Galveston Campus! " quote from my Linkedin account.

[@nmccw3245]

In Russia, icebreakers are nuclear.

[@alabamatechwriter6959]

This lack of a good icebreaker comes up periodically. I'm appalled we don't have a new one by now. I'm sure our ally Canada has an icebreaker or two, but you would think we would have better capability than we do by now. To me it's like having the ability to travel all the way around your block without relying on your neighbor for a ride. During war we need the ability to travel unfettered and during peace we need other viable alternatives between our eastern and western ports. Plus, our Alaskan coast would benefit from open lanes, especially on our most western islands well out into the Pacific near Asia where they are iced in most of the year. I don't suggest we invent reasons to use the arctic route around Canada, but it should always be a strategic option, especially defensively. . . .BTW, great humor and also like the shirt.

[@tedmoss]

It will be a lot cheaper to build large rockets and just fly over in 30 minutes.

[@alabamatechwriter6959]

@@tedmoss Better call Sal .... er, I mean Elon.

[@PlanetFrosty]

The Russian Ice Breakers have a real problem with nuke cooling. They require cold sea water with some Russian ice breakers unable to travel into warmer water.

[@mikedx2706]

Russia is probably short of the manpower needed to develop and operate the proposed new Arctic route unless the Red Chinese help them do it.

[@bboomer7th]

Given that these routes will be used, what will happen if there is a spill? Virtually no access to a environmentally sensitive area.

[@reganhoward7883]

Nice shirt!

[@laurenglass4514]

I am so discouraged by the attitude of the US with regards to our Naval and commercial ships , what have they been thinking?

[@tedmoss]

With 4 to 7 ice breakers in service, they do have a way to go.

[@pinkladybikermamma3603]

HOW COME WE NEVER HEAR ABOUT THESE ROUTES?

[@chillxxx241]

To be clear…It doesn’t sound like anything has fundamentally changed accept for countries trying to do some “illegal” activities might want to use this option.

[@schuttrostig5729]

So why is no one opening up the north-west passage as an opposing offer, thats where huge money can be earned.

[@alansnyder8448]

Will this route be able to support the largest container ships in winter? It seems they would need to convoy behind the ice breaker if I understand this correctly.

[@TheSubHunter1]

Not likely as I don’t think the bulk of the current ULCV fleet is ice rated

[@CodeZero4090]

Are you going to do a video on the mv Cuyahoga fire?

[@SteamCrane]

Wow! Hadn't heard about it! J. Burton Ayers, one of 16 Maritimers, 1943. An old friend, seen many times.

[@chriskortan1530]

I don't think you're allowed to wear that shirt without a glorious mustache...

[@SteamCrane]

I have a couple Hawaiian shirts, but it looks like I need to up my game.

[@aaronfranklin324]

The US icebreakers are toys. Puny, barely worthy of the term. The Northern Searoute is BTW pretty damn wide open year round now. The ice forming off Siberia from katabatic winds off the land is melting as it blows off the shallow shelf as warm volcanically heated waters are drawn up from below. There are no deep keeled pressure ridges or icebergs left now. It's all first or second year slush.

[@asterixky]

No insurance issues using the northern route?

[@horsebee1]

The one thing I wonder about is the effect that these large ice breakers are having on the sea temperatures, The Ice tends to reflect heat and light but once broken up leaves clear water behind which being dark has a much greater capacity to absorb heat and light. The ecosystem has evolved in a reasonably constant temperature and moving it even by one degree can have a devastating result.

[@JAMESWUERTELE]

You serious about that?!

[@horsebee1]

@@JAMESWUERTELE In fact I am. Have you ever seen Ice Breakers working? I Have in the Ross Sound on ice that you need welding glasses to look at the reflection is so great. When they leave the sound has gone from a blinding reflective white to a deep water blue/black, a color that rather than reflects light and heat absorbs it. Down there the water is a constant -2 deg C and naturally the sound is covered with ice year round. Moving the water temperature by as little as 1 deg can have a devastating effect on the ecology of the area. The other problem is when that is taking place there is 24 hour sunlight. Our cold water environments are among the most delicate on earth and are critical to the earths weather patens so I cant see that exposing large areas to the warmth of the sun by breaking up the ice can be a good thing.

[@mellowInventor]

​@@horsebee1Well, maybe Russia will implode and the ice will remain untouched.

[@raymondsosnowski9717]

Interesting! Seems like the unintended consequences of climate-change! Also, it was consider a 'pipe dream' in my youth - who would have known that we be at this point when the once 'impossible' will become 'reality' in the near future?

[@Veritas419]

They don’t have the resources to pull any of that off

[@Mike-pn3eg]

6:17 was it tho?

[@almirria6753]

Have the Russians still using thenuke powered ice breakers?

[@datadavis]

Have thenuke i doing

[@allenkramer2143]

Would you comment on the military potential? I can't believe they (Russian govt) would invest in this if there wasn't a military component. As an example, could the operating, or planned, icebreakers be militarized. Nuclear powered, fuel is not a n issue. Icebreaker, very robust hull, etc.

[@tedmoss]

This is a no brainer. You answered your own question by asking it.

[@matthewparr7833]

Very interesting subject. And the western countries need to do a lot more about developing the route coming out of the Pacific over the top Canada into Altantic Ocean, program has just show on SBS Television channel in Australia about resupply Settlements in top of Canada. Could you do program about talking about the route over top Canada. I have interest in Ships and the Shipping industry,

[@Syndr1]

Hi Sal, dont they have more important things to do? They should have waited a few years....less 🧊 icebergs

[@truthseeker5890]

That's a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng route going west after passing between Russia and Alaska. That would take some major time. Major money and risky! East over to Baffin Bay doesn't look all that great either.

[@dimbasz]

It looks long to you only because of distorted Mercator projection close to the pole. But in reality shipping from Shanghai to Rotterdam via northern route takes 1.5-2 days LESS than via Suez

[@anonymousAJ]

Big deal for Russia strategically... If they manage to develop a robust commercial sector of maritime icebreaking that might relieve their need for warm ports for naval military purposes

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@tedmoss]

Depends on where you want to go.

[@b_lumenkraft]

But jokes aside, (the joke being putin) China will surely profit from vassal russia opening the northern sea route for them.

[@terracotta6294]

The original Tom Selleck, ❤❤❤❤ Tina and I in highschool wanted to marry him 🥰...good choice of a shirt 😅...PS we wanted to marry Paul McCartney too. 🎵🎶

[@michaelhowell2541]

Not a joke if it sinks somewhere along the way.🤔😱😂👍🇺🇸

[@b_lumenkraft]

We should ask vlad if he thinks that the northern sea route is opening up. 😂

[@balaclavabob001]

Like russia is still gonna be here by then .

[@guncotton1950]

who gave russia permission to travel Canadian waters in the north ?

[@nickolaspetrov2786]

Northern sea route has nothing to do with Canada so calm down 😂

[@guncotton1950]

What Canada sees as our borders may not be the same as other countries looking to enrich themselves

[@blizzard5657]

According to the IPCC the ice melted 20 years ago 😂 or more that they have been saying that there will be no ice in the arctic for twenty years now, 😊

[@SteamCrane]

NYC is under water now.

[@kd0r]

A question occurs to me. Given the Law of Unintended Consequences, do we have a clue what effect continuously breaking the iced along any polar route will have on the wider polar environment?

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

@@alolen6261 . Wanna bet?

[@SueFerreira75]

So the messy Russians can screw up the pristine Arctic too.

[@louissosa1535]

The US screwed it up first. The Exxon Valdez.

[@andreimoutchkine5163]

Why? It is either nuclear or LNG propulsion, very clean.

[@crapmalls]

Can't we just buy Greenland? 😎

[@fantabuloussnuffaluffagus]

@@kathleenadams6421 The cancelled check is in the archives.

[@phil20_20]

Who puts Viper teeth on a civilian vessel? 😂 "There is a Doomsday Icebreaker Gap, Mr President!"

[@craig4867]

From Russia with Love 🇷🇺 ❤ Russians Love Sal Big audience in Russia 🇷🇺

[@tomcook5813]

I don’t see how we’re going to keep up with the rest of the world…

[@tomjensen618]

The Chinese will run a train overland.

[@vernonkuhns3561]

Even for China that would take more than a week...

[@TheSubHunter1]

@@vernonkuhns3561 the UK and Spain have a regular train service from China takes about 12/14 days

[@vernonkuhns3561]

@@TheSubHunter1 To BUILD???

[@TheSubHunter1]

@@vernonkuhns3561 no it runs right now has been for a few years

[@vernonkuhns3561]

@@TheSubHunter1 Twice wrong. My comment was about how long it would take China to build a RR to the LNG plant on the Arctic coast.

[@guncotton1950]

Stay out of Canadian soveriegn waters this is wrong

[@SteamCrane]

It's 1917 again in Russia. The black swans are flocking. Hard to predict what's next.

[@_vancurtis]

You don't know what you're talking about.

[@craig4867]

Sal! Don't alienate Russians! Up to this point they like you and your audience is huge in Russia, so be nice! 🇷🇺

[@b_lumenkraft]

So, i'm really not to say if this shirt was appropriate in the 80s. I was around back then but the memory is hazy at best. But it can say nowadays it is not, sir. So not.

[@terracotta6294]

My phone is intercepted on a continuous basis! T-Mobile is my service provider and the district manager is obviously doing this to the 2 devices I pay for. There must have been a class action lawsuit on them because my monthly charge was lowered. The Internet is so badly regulated! Michael Powell was working on a bulletproof doctrine for lawmakers - which was shattered by Bush and media bullying with propaganda on Colin Powell, who would NOT agree to a world war, which Bush wanted after HE and his echelon of career criminals attacked USA on September 11, 2001, blaming the Middle East! From then on, the secret society Presidents have been doing all they can to incite war - yet foreign countries aren't budging, as violent as US is. They want peace. No more NAZI terrorism will take hold! Good companies pulled out of USA for years. Multibillion dollar companies have gone belly-up at the cost of taxpayers in bankruptcy court, etc. Which leads us to where we are today..

[@joefin5900]

Avoid the politics, Sal.

[@wgowshipping]

What politics?

[@IvorMektin1701]

I love the shirt, I have two of them!

[@raitchison]

@@wgowshipping I'm guessing they are talking about acknowledging that climate change is happening, which for some people is a very political stance.

[@wgowshipping]

@@raitchison I am just stating the fact that the north Polar ice cap is receding.

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

Sometimes politics is an important factor.

[@theotherandrew5540]

You sound concerned that this is a Russian project. It’s time to learn to cooperate rather than to complete and waste resources.

[@wgowshipping]

Not concerned. Just laying out the route being proposed by the Russians.

[@alexwhite3271]

Thanks!

[@wgowshipping]

Thanks Alex!