On Uncertain Ice: The Future of Arctic Shipping and the Northwest Passage ...

• Main Authors: Lackenbauer, Whitney, Lajeunesse, Adam
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The School of Public Policy Publications 2014
• Subjects: Arctic; Northwest Passage; Arctic Basin; Northwest passage; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/sppp.v7i0.42493; https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/sppp/article/view/42493

The Arctic sea-ice is in a state of rapid decline. Barriers to navigation that once doomed the likes of Sir John Franklin and closed the shortcut to the Orient now seem to be melting away. The prospect of shorter, transpolar transportation routes linking Asian and Western markets has inspired excitement and fear, and particularly the latter when it comes to Canadian sovereignty. This paper confirms recent studies suggesting that, in spite of the general trend towards reduced ice cover in the Arctic Basin, environmental variability, scarce infrastructure and other navigational aids, and uncertain economics make it unlikely that the Northwest Passage will emerge as a viable trans-shipping route in the foreseeable future. Instead, the region is likely to witness a steady increase in resource, resupply, and tourist destinational shipping. Accordingly, concerns that this increased activity will adversely affect Canadian sovereignty are misplaced. Rather than calling into question Canadian control, foreign vessels ... : The School of Public Policy Publications, Vol 7 (2014) ...