Less continuous ice can make a northern passage physically possible while still leaving hazardous icebergs along the route. The discussion also questions what ships could collect or deliver at intermediate stops. Container services are compared with bus routes that circulate through a sequence of ports, sometimes with another service running the reverse circuit. They do not necessarily follow the shortest route between two endpoints. Commercial efficiency depends on the opportunities to load and unload cargo throughout the journey.
Notable Point · 4:23:22-4:24:37
Why the shortest sea route may not suit a container service
The northern-route discussion connects ice hazards with the commercial value of a container service's intermediate port calls.