Melting Arctic ice has opened up possibilities for alternative Arctic trade routes that can potentially shorten shipping journeys, posing a threat on the importance of Singapore in maritime industry and forcing the island nation to get involved in the icebreaking industry.
“Icebreaking is Singapore’s alternative business should the new route eventually out-compete the old route,” Greenpeace Southeast Asia political adviser Zelda Soriano said in a text message to GMA News Online. “Singapore would not lose anything then as it is in business in the old and new route,” she added.
Singapore is “doing business in icebreaking the Arctic” and is “profiting from climate change” while protecting its international seaport, Soriano noted in a blog post.