Arctic Ocean Route

The Arctic Ocean covers an area of 13.1 million square kilometers and is the fourth largest ocean in the world. There are few coastal countries and it is located at a high latitude.

Most of the ports are frozen in winter, and shipping is relatively underdeveloped. The Arctic Ocean is the smallest ocean with the lowest temperature. However, due to the rising world temperatures in recent years, especially in the northern hemisphere summer, the ice near the North Pole has melted to around 80° north latitude.

The role of the Arctic route in world shipping, which connects North America, Asia and Europe across the poles, has attracted more attention. The United States, Canada, Russia, Denmark and other relevant countries have sought rights and interests in the Arctic Ocean.

At present, seasonal routes have been opened in the Arctic Ocean from Murmansk, Russia to ports in the Far East; as well as direct routes from Murmansk to Reykjavik, Iceland and London, England. With the advancement of navigation technology, the global greenhouse effect and the economic development of the Arctic Ocean region, the Arctic Ocean routes will have greater development. China is a near-Arctic country and is planning a “Polar Silk Road”.