First Chinese ship makes trip to Atlantic via Arctic

[FarCenter]

The first Chinese ship has travelled from the Pacific to Atlantic via the Arctic along the Russian coast, an Icelandic scientist who participated on the expedition said Friday.

The Chinese icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, docked in Iceland after having sailed the so-called Northern Sea Route from the Pacific, Egill Thor Nielsson told AFP.

"This is the first Chinese ship to sail this route and of course it is important because it's a more than 40 percent shorter route to Europe," he said.

The Chinese are even more interested in this route after having found the passage relatively easy.

http://www.france24.com/en/20120817-first-chinese-ship-makes-trip-atlantic-via-arctic

[datasuspect]

1. at least the polar melt will improve the seaways

so it's good for something.

i guess.

[onehandle]

2. Global warming deniers are supporting Communist China. nt

[FirstLight]

3. "The Chinese are even more interested in this route after having found the passage relatively easy."

...maybe so, but tell them to try that again in January

[KurtNYC]

4. Henry Hudson (and his son) died looking for that route

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

[Brother Buzz]

7. Sir Francis Drake damn near busted up his ship, the Golden Hinde, seeking the passage

He turned back determining sailing around the world would be easier

[n2doc]

5. Getting easier every year

Current coverage:

[FarCenter]

6. The detached areas in the East Siberian Sea will almost certainly melt in the next month

We are on pace for the lowest minmum ice extent ever.