Arctic marine shipping season kicks off
Last Updated: Thursday, July 16, 2009 | 11:25 AM CT
CBC News
More ships are starting to move through Arctic waterways, as this year's northern shipping season gets into full swing.
The Canadian Coast Guard says 19 vessels are in Canada's eastern Arctic, with more on the way.
Most of the ships are sealift vessels and tankers so far, said Daniel Racine with the coast guard radio station in Iqaluit.
There are five coast guard icebreakers in the area, with another coming up from British Columbia via Alaska.
Racine told CBC News that August will likely be the busiest time for Arctic marine traffic.
"Last year we had about 50 ships," he said Thursday.
"For now we have no idea how many ships we'll have to expect."
One cruise ship is currently in the North, located near the Nunavik region of northern Quebec.
More cruise ships will be heading to various destinations in the Canadian Arctic in coming weeks.
Racine said the shipping routes in the eastern and lower Arctic still have about 40 per cent ice on them.
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