Maritime futures : the Arctic and the Bering Strait Region / principal authors, Heather A. Conley, Matthew Melino ; contributing author, Andreas Osthagen : the Arctic and the Bering Strait Region : a

Significant diminishment of the Arctic ice cap is propelling the advent of a new, blue water ocean and, with it, new commercial and economic opportunities. Abundant natural and mineral resources, as well as rich fishing stocks, encourage Arctic and non-Arctic nations to explore these resources through the enhanced use of Arctic maritime transportation routes, which connect geographically distant economies more directly. As a result, the evolving commercial dynamics of Arctic international shippingboth destinational and transshipmentare beginning to change. Once considered dangerous and noncommercial, Arctic shipping routes such as the Northern Sea Route are increasingly scrutinized as potential economical alternatives to some of the world's most popular maritime passages.