Geopolitics and shipping development in the Arctic

• Published in: Ocean Yearbook Online
• Main Authors: Lasserre, Frédéric, Cyr, Alexandra
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: Brill Academic Publishers 2022
• Subjects: Arctic shipping; Geopolitics; Bulk; Container; Sea ice; Logistics; Port hub; International straits; Arctique > Aspect stratégique; Transports maritimes; Eaux territoriales; Terminaux maritimes; Géopolitique; Vraquiers; Glace de mer; Arctic; Canada; Arctique*; Climate change
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11794/73523; https://doi.org/10.1163/22116001-03601015

With the impact of climate change and the melting of sea ice, many narratives about the impending boom in Arctic transit shipping have emerged. Analyses also highlight the potential conflicts between Russia and Canada, on the one hand, claiming sovereignty over their respective Arctic passage, and the United States, the European Union and possibly Asian States, on the other hand, asserting to various degrees the international straits status for these Arctic passages. These geopolitical conflicts for the control of transit shipping and the Arctic straits have not taken place because of a very limited traffic volume stemming for the limited attraction of these Arctic routes for transit. Traffic is indeed expanding, but it is destinational traffic, under the firm control of the port State. The possible development of transshipment hubs for Arctic shipping could change this picture.