How climate change created a new ‘Ice Silk Road’ in the Arctic

Reduced summer Arctic sea ice has enabled new cargo shipping along Russia's Northern Sea Route, which China and Russia are promoting as an Ice Silk Road alternative to routes through the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea. A Chinese container vessel has begun a weekly service to Europe via the Arctic, cutting travel time roughly in half, while environmental groups warn the increased shipping could accelerate ice melt and note gaps in fuel and safety regulations.