GeographyNavigation
Maritime operations in the Arctic have historically been constrained by weather and sea ice. As more Arctic waters remain ice-free through greater durations of the year, operations are increasing. In 2008, the Northwest Passage through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and the Northern Sea Route along the Eurasia coast became navigable due to a dramatic reduction in pack ice.
Currently, the Arctic region is served by a number of port areas, as shown on this map. These ports are typically separated by large distances.