Russian Icebreaker Operator Predicts Easier Winter Conditions For Arctic Shippers

An earlier forecast that Arctic shipping would face problems from severe weather has not been realized, experts now see no major disruptions to winter shipping. Thickening of ice, which had been officially forecast to start this year 10 to 15 days earlier than normal, did not happen, sources said, adding that it is now believed that shippers will see easier winter conditions in that region.