As part of their future strategy DNV GL highlighted the Arctic as interests in this remote area gathers pace. »Melting[ds_preview] ice has created new business opportunities« an executive summary on this topic says. Though this is not the first Arctic rush, political will and high prices have created demand. Project directors Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen (President of DNV GL Maritime) and Per Olav Moslet demonstrated how diverse this region of 40mill. m2 is. Thus the Arctic offers a preview of a new paradigm for business: harsher environments, higher public scrutiny and a greater need to engage with stakeholders. This area is now often seen as a prize, valued beyond its borders.
The workshop at the Innovation Day in Hamburg weighed up benefits and concerns. In Alaska, many of the inhabitants are involved in the oil & gas industry, so surveys show that benefits prevail in public opinion. In Norway, the situation is different the experts pointed out. Here 58% were concerned about oil & gas in the Arctic in a DNV GL poll, contrasted with 31% in Alaska.
The harsh environment of the Arctic creates special challenges: DNV GL experts presented risk maps based on standard cruise ships’ routes in Arctic waters with high risks around Greenland and comparatively lower risks in the Barents Sea. Not more accidents but rather more severe consequences in case of an accident imply that risk management has to work differently. Environmental vulnerability, most of all to heavy fuel oil, and the question of public perception are factors to be taken into account.
In the near future, drones for ice detection will help detect medium size to smaller icebergs not properly seen on the radar. According to DNV GL, the technology tested with a Canadian ship operator will be feasible in 2030. Other highlights were the use of ice-phobic materials, steel foam for less weight in shipbuilding or special hovercraft escape vessels. Life boats better suited for arctic conditions or collision resistant ships are also part of DNV GL’s Arctic strategy. Arctic bulk traffic and proper ice strengthening was also high on the agenda as well as oil spill recovery technologies or LNG fuel beyond 66 degrees north latitude.
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