A minimum of 18 ships is stranded in the Arctic sea ice off Russia’s following an unforeseen early freeze. The unprecedented scenario has taken shipping companies aback. Some of these could end up being stranded for up to months as they wait for icebreakers.
In recent times, warmer weather resulting from climate change has permitted ships to cross parts of Russia’s northern sea route without icebreakers. This is how the situation was in November. Owners of ships and other vessels had presumed...