20-September-2014
Montreal-based shipowner and operator Fednav announced last Friday that the MV Nunavik, a bulk carrier under its management, has departed from Deception Bay headed for China via Canada’s Northwest Passage. This voyage marks the MV Nunavik as one of the first commercial vessels to fully transit the Northwest Passage and the first to navigate the route unescorted with an Arctic cargo. The MV Nunavik, recognized as the world’s most powerful conventional icebreaking bulk carrier, operates year-round from Northern Quebec, carrying nickel concentrate from the Canadian Royalties mine. On this voyage, it is transporting 23,000 tons of nickel concentrate to Bayuquan in China. Supporting the MV Nunavik is a shore-based team of ice navigation specialists from Fednav and its subsidiary, Enfotec. The vessel utilizes Enfotec’s proprietary ice-navigation system, IcenavTM, which incorporates regular ice charts and real-time satellite imagery to ensure safe and efficient navigation. Traveling to China via the Northwest Passage is approximately 40 percent shorter than the traditional Panama Canal route. This shorter journey will result in a reduction of more than 1,300 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Fednav, a leader in lakes-fitted shipping, is proud to have designed the MV Nunavik and to orchestrate this pioneering independent commercial voyage through the Northwest Passage.