The Transportation of Large Modules through the Northwest Passage

A review of the feasibility of transporting large modules through the Northwest Passage (NWP) via heavy lift vessels or a tug barge arrangement is discussed in this paper. The review included an assessment of ice conditions during the late spring, through early fall months, navigation hazards, regulatory requirements and heavy lift vessels on the market. The ice conditions in the Northwest passage were developed based on data from the Canadian Ice Service. The study developed estimated transit times through the NWP using a transit model based on the Transport Canada AIRSS standard.