Geography
The Geopolitical Implications of Arctic Shipping Route Expansion
Quick fact
The Northern Sea Route along Russia's coast is up to 40% shorter than the Suez route between East Asia and Northern Europe, and shipping traffic there has grown by more than 2,000% since 2010—even while the route remains ice-free for only a few months each year.
Why this is interesting
Every year, thousands of ships journey through the Suez Canal to move goods between Asia and Europe. But what if there were a shortcut that cut that voyage by nearly half—a shortcut appearing right now at the top of the world?