☰
HomeLiving Beyond BordersGZERO WorldSignalIn 60 SecondsPuppet RegimeGZERO World PodcastContact UsAbout UsCareersPrivacy PolicyTerms

The Graphic Truth: Shipping volume through the Russian Arctic

October 19, 2023
Matthew Kendrick
and
Paige Fusco
line graph of shipping volume through the arctic
line graph of shipping volume through the arctic
Paige Fusco

Climate change has opened Arctic shipping channels that can be navigated by freighters without icebreakers for several months a year – and year-round with icebreakers. Canada and Russia dominate the region, but Moscow is much more aggressively exploiting the economic opportunities there.

Taking the high-latitude route over Russia can shave 5,600 miles off a voyage from Europe to China, and as sea ice melt accelerates, the economic viability grows. Total shipping volumes along the Arctic route rose steadily between 2019 and 2020, and immediately after Russia invaded Ukraine, despite the frigid March conditions, the Arctic corridor saw its highest-ever volume of shipping in 2022.

Canada and the United States, meanwhile, have faced criticism for underinvestment in Arctic security. Canada, for example, lacks sufficient early warning systems to detect missile attacks coming over the North Pole — which is dangerous, given that the Arctic is essentially split between Russia and NATO countries.

We look at trade passing through the Russian Arctic corridor above.

From Your Site Articles

More from GZERO Media

Big dreams (and digital tools) gave US small businesses an edge in 2024

Mastercard

For small businesses, the pandemic accelerated their digital journey, and many are finding benefits beyond digital payment acceptance, including back-end efficiencies and more targeted social media marketing. So far, their strategy is working — small businesses that use technology platforms increased their profits between 2022 and 2023 more than those that used little to no tech, according to a 2024 US Chamber of Commerce report. Read how small businesses are increasingly turning to digital tools to gain valuable insights needed for their businesses to grow and evolve.

Biden expected to block Nippon Steel deal, citing national security

A logo of Nippon Steel is pictured in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo on March 15, 2024. US President Joe Biden opposed planned sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, a Japanese Firm, on March 14th.
The Yomiuri Shimbun

President Biden is expected to block Nippon Steel's $14 billion acquisition of US Steel on national security grounds, with his decision expected as early as Friday.

Authorities try to arrest impeached South Korean president

Police vans are lined up in front of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's official residence in Seoul on Jan. 3, 2025.

The Yomiuri Shimbun via Reuters

It’s a standoff. Officers from South Korea’s anti-corruption authority arrived at the residence of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol’s on Friday morning to serve an arrest warrant over his attempt to impose martial law last month. Confronted by a crowd of Yoon supporters and a military unit, they were unable to execute the warrant.

Syria’s new leaders visit Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meets Syria's newly appointed Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 2, 2025.
Saudi Press Agency/Handout via

On Wednesday, a Syrian delegation that included Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, and intelligence chief Anas Khattab arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, for thenew Syrian government’s first diplomatic trip abroad.

About UsCareers PressContact Us Privacy PolicyTerms of Use
© 2020 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.