“The 83-day Arctic expedition – led by the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) – will be carried out on board the country’s only research icebreaker, R/V Araon. The vessel is expected to sail through the Bering Sea, the East Siberian Sea, the Chukchi Sea and the central Arctic Ocean.”
“The expedition represents the first field visit of the SAFE-SEA project, a joint Arctic study by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and KOPRI. Launched early this year, Project SAFE-SEA seeks to develop high-resolution datasets to refine prediction tools that track Arctic ice changes. The datasets will help produce monthly and annual navigation scenarios for the Northern Sea Route (NSR), with the aim of supporting safer and more reliable vessel operations in the region. The project researchers added that the high-resolution data will help develop a more detailed assessment of climate risks in polar regions.”
“Korea is hoping to establish a regular shipping route connecting the country with Europe via the Arctic by 2030. Later this year, the government has planned a pilot containership voyage through the Russian-administered Northern Sea Route. The trial voyage will start from Busan to Rotterdam in Netherlands, reportedly involving a vessel operated by PanStar Line.”