CR
Cryospheric Sciences

Arctic shipping

Navigating the polar frontier: exploring the effects of sea-ice decline on shipping and sea routes in the Arctic

March 7, 2025
Navigating the polar frontier: exploring the effects of sea-ice decline on shipping and sea routes in the Arctic
Figure 1: Icebreaker traversing the Arctic Ocean, navigating the thick blanket of sea ice which obstructs its path [Credit: Christopher Michel/Flickr, CC BY 2.0].

Sea ice is a critical part of the unique Arctic ecosystem, but climate change is becoming a serious threat. Warming in the Arctic has already resulted in the loss of over 4 million km² of sea ice. But is it all bad? Retreat of Arctic sea ice is allowing more ships to navigate the Arctic Ocean, along shorter, faster and cheaper sea routes, providing emission reductions of 24%. But will the growth o ...[Read More]

Did you know that a lack of Arctic shipping regulation has detrimental environmental effects?

February 20, 2024
Did you know that a lack of Arctic shipping regulation has detrimental environmental effects?
Figure 1: Ship in polar waters. [Credit: 12019 from Pixabay]

Increased maritime transport in the Arctic, facilitated by the reduction in sea ice cover, is causing tremendous harm to an already vulnerable part of the world. Insufficient regulation of Arctic shipping has detrimental environmental effects on a global scale. These effects include, e.g. underwater noise pollution, oil spill risk and threats to the global climate. But did you know what role regul ...[Read More]