The role of Arctic shipping routes in global supply chains : economic and environmental trade offs
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Keywords
Arctic shipping ; Global supply chains ; Environmental dilemmas ; Economic opportunities ; Maritime governanceAbstract
This thesis explores the emerging role of Arctic maritime routes in the global shipping
landscape, focusing on the economic opportunities and environmental dilemmas they
present. Through an extensive literature review, it examines the three main Arctic
passages the Northern Sea Route, the Northwest Passage, and the Transpolar Sea Route
highlighting their technical, legal, and geopolitical complexities. Economically, these
routes offer the potential to reduce transit time and fuel consumption, thus enhancing
the efficiency of global supply chains. However, the expansion of shipping activity in
ecologically sensitive regions raises significant environmental risks, including black
carbon emissions, oil spills, underwater noise pollution, and threats to Arctic
biodiversity and Indigenous communities. The analysis underscores that Arctic Sea
lanes should not be viewed solely as alternative trade corridors but as test cases for
sustainable maritime governance. The conclusion calls for balanced policy approaches
that integrate economic ambition with environmental responsibility and long-term
resilience.