Background Paper. Arctic Shipping
Arctic Transform, February 12, 2009: Lead authors: Erik J. Molenaar, Netherlands Institute for the Law of the Sea; Robert Corell, Heinz Center
This background paper focuses on intra-Arctic and trans-Arctic marine shipping in the Arctic
marine area. Trans-Arctic marine shipping can take place by means of various routes and
combinations of routes. Two of these routes are the Northwest Passage and the Northern
Sea Route. As a consequence of the accelerated melting of Arctic sea-ice, however, the
Central Arctic Ocean Route may soon be an option as well. The most suitable course of this
latter route will probably vary greatly from year to year. These annual variations may lead to
various combinations of the Central Arctic Ocean Route on the one hand and the Northwest
Passage and Northern Sea Route on the other hand. It is finally important to note that all
trans-Arctic marine shipping must pass through the Bering Strait, thus making it a ‘choke
point’.
marine area. Trans-Arctic marine shipping can take place by means of various routes and
combinations of routes. Two of these routes are the Northwest Passage and the Northern
Sea Route. As a consequence of the accelerated melting of Arctic sea-ice, however, the
Central Arctic Ocean Route may soon be an option as well. The most suitable course of this
latter route will probably vary greatly from year to year. These annual variations may lead to
various combinations of the Central Arctic Ocean Route on the one hand and the Northwest
Passage and Northern Sea Route on the other hand. It is finally important to note that all
trans-Arctic marine shipping must pass through the Bering Strait, thus making it a ‘choke
point’.
Background Paper. Arctic Shipping
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