[ad_1]
The stranding of the monster ship Ever Given in the narrow Suez Canal has shown how vulnerable the world’s trade routes are. At the beginning of the crisis, it was estimated that a value of ten billion dollars would disappear for each day that the shutdown lasted.
But the “little Suez crisis” has an unexpected winner: Russia.
Because while, for example, 500,000 liquefied natural gas from Qatar is stuck in the canal, Russian natural gas flows into Europe, among other things through the Nord Stream pipeline at the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
Russian oil exports are also experiencing a temporary rebound, which analysts believe could lead to higher prices.
In the Russian media, politicians and experts are now commenting on this and emphasizing how reliable Russian deliveries are compared to others forced through the Suez Canal.
In the Russian media Politicians and experts are now commenting on this and emphasizing how reliable Russian supplies are compared to others forced through the Suez Canal.
But above all, they take the opportunity to remember the Northeast Passage. This is Russia’s northern sea route, which as the Arctic ice sheet shrinks, is navigable for longer periods each year.
The route is one of President Putin’s most prestigious projects, and Russia is investing heavily in building icebreakers and upgrading infrastructure along its northern coast.
Nikolai Kortjunov, Russia’s head of Arctic cooperation, says the Suez incident shows “there is no alternative” to the Russian route.
Russians like to emphasize that the Northeast Passage cuts travel time from Shanghai to Rotterdam in half. Experts in the Russian press even speak of it as a “green alternative”, since less fuel is needed and therefore less carbon dioxide emissions.
The country is investing in making the transportation route navigable year-round within a decade.
At the same time, the trade route itself is a consequence of climate change for which we humans are responsible. And global warming is hitting Russia harder than other countries.
Among other things, permafrost is melting in Siberia, which in recent years has been hit by extensive forest fires. According to the country’s own Ministry of the Environment, the temperature rise in Russia is twice as high as the average in the rest of the world.
In other words: The climate crisis can, on the one hand, bring economic benefits to Russia. But on the other hand, this means that the country does not have an incentive to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions sufficiently.
It is largely Russian oil and gas companies that are paying for the new infrastructure along the Northeast Passage. And environmental organizations do not see the route as especially “organic”, on the contrary. They warn that increased shipping traffic in the Arctic may, in fact, increase global warming.
Read more:
Putin believes that climate change can bring benefits
Anna-Lena Laurén: Russia jealously guards the Arctic and keeps all competitors at a distance
