Statsraad Lehmkuhl Will Not Sail Through the Northwest Passage

Tallship Statsraad Lehmkuhl is not sailing through the Northwest Passage as planned, but is changing course due to ice conditions. The ship is now in Baffin Bay, near Greenland, and was originally on course for the passage.

The voyage through the Northwest Passage has been planned for over two and a half years, in close collaboration with, among others, one of Canada's most experienced ice pilots.

Already in the planning phase, the organizers were aware of the risks, and that ice conditions would be crucial to whether the voyage could be carried out.

Although the ice charts for large parts of the route have looked promising, recent data shows that the upcoming ice conditions could exceed what the ship is certified for.

This is particularly true in the western part of the Arctic in Canada, where ice melt has occurred later than normal and there is great uncertainty about developments in the coming weeks.

In consultation with UiT The Arctic University of Norway, the course is now set south, so that the ship can fulfill as many of its obligations as possible on the west coast of the United States.

ALSO READ: Statsraad Lehmkuhl Has Set Course for the Northwest Passage