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The world media reported last week the successful sailing of two German cargo ships through the fabled "Northeast Passage" from South Korea along Russia's Arctic coast to Siberia and reaching Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The Beluga Shipping GmbH, owner of the two German ships, was obviously proud of the feat: The first time a Western shipping company had successfully transited the Northeast Passage. By taking the new route from South Korea to the Netherlands, ships can save 5,554 km and 10 days compared to the traditional route through the Suez Canal. The cost reduction is apparent. The firm's president said he was planning more voyages through the route in the coming months. My first reaction to the news was: One of the last virgin oceans on Earth will be ruined. Undoubtedly Beluga will not be alone. More shipping companies will join the race to use the new route through the Arctic, given the obvious benefits that the shorter journey will generate. It can be foreseen that the Arctic area will see fleets of ships sailing through Asia and Europe and North America every day. The scenario is appalling, for it would mean the loss of the last of the clean oceans to commerce. Mass sailing activities through the area will definitely aggravate the melting of ice and global warming. Ironically, climate change was the very reason why the new passage through the icy waters was possible. About 80,000 commercial vessels now sail the oceans across the world, discharging about 1 million tons of various pollutants into the waters every year. They have contributed significantly to the deterioration of global climate. Now with fleets of commercial vessels leaking oil and chemicals along the Northeast Passage, dumping engine-cleaning agents and sewage into the waters and emitting carbon dioxide into the air above the Arctic, the local temperature and climate will certainly change. | 
