Arctic Connected | More ships in the Arctic bring serious risks

As sea ice melts, countries and industries are increasingly gaining access to offshore oil and gas, minerals and other resources in the Arctic. Disappearing sea ice is also opening up new Arctic shipping routes, which are shorter than the existing ones that pass through the Panama and Suez Canals. In fact, between 2013 and 2019 the number of ships entering the Arctic increased by 25 per cent as more oil tankers and bulk carriers passed through the region’s waters.

While this increase brings economic opportunities, it also brings greater risks for Arctic marine ecosystems and coastal communities—because more ships mean greater risks of accidents, oil spills and pollution.

Learn more: https://www.arcticwwf.org/newsroom/fe...

#ArcticConnected #Arctic #WWF