© Elisabeth Kruger / WWF-US
Arctic shipping
Global demand for goods continues to grow while Arctic summer sea ice is shrinking: Arctic shipping is heating up.
FEATURED
Protecting the Arctic ecosystem as new ocean, blue economy emerge
Sustainability is the key to getting it right from the beginning.
Read moreWhy it matters
90% of goods are transported by ship, and Arctic routes represent huge potential savings in time and costs.
Although Arctic routes will not be open year round, companies are already investing billions of dollars in tankers capable of going through ice.
Arctic sea routes
Northwest Passage
This route through Canada's Arctic archipelago would save two weeks in traveling time compared to the Panama Canal.
The Northern Sea Route
This route along the northern coast of Russia is already in use by commercial ships.
Our solutions
Take care near wildlife
WWF advises shipping companies on recognizing and avoiding marine mammals in ecologically sensitive areas.Rob Oo / flickr / CC BY
Prepare for icy conditions
Ships venturing into Arctic waters must be prepared for Arctic conditions, especially those carrying ecologically hazardous cargos.Canon / Brutus Ostling / WWF-Sweden
Prevent the spread of invasives
Operational practices for ships operating in Arctic waters should forbid the discharge of ballast waters in Arctic areas to prevent the introduction of alien species. These measures need to be backed up with monitoring and enforcement.Hans Hillewaert / CC BY-SA 4.0
Ban the dirtiest fuel
WWF is advocating for an Arctic-wide ban of Heavy fuel oil (HFO), a particularly dirty type of shipping fuel.US Geological Survey
How we work
Publications
Getting it right in a new ocean - report
26 November 2018
Getting it right in a new ocean - summary
25 November 2018
The Circle 04.18
1 October 2018
Canada’s Arctic Marine Atlas
17 September 2018
Canadian Arctic Greywater Report
17 August 2018
The Circle 03.18
17 July 2018Meet the team
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Recommended reading
Ocean
As the Arctic's ice melts, the world is eyeing the shipping routes and natural resources of the Arctic Ocean.
Communities
WWF works with communities throughout the Arctic to help them deal with the effects of climate change, support research, and bring northern stories to a global audience.