Arctic Shipping Hits Record as Middle East Conflict Diverts Vessels

Arctic shipping reached a record 133 voyages in a single month, more than four times the 2022 level, as the Iran war pushes vessels toward alternative routes.
Ships are increasingly using Russia's Northern Sea Route to avoid conflict-affected routes through the Middle East and Red Sea, according to the FT and Lloyd's List Intelligence. A record number of crude oil tankers also used the Arctic route.
One Chinese container ship completed a China-to-UK journey in 24 days, compared with 40 days or more via the Suez Canal or Cape of Good Hope. Almost half of the voyages were made by Russian-flagged vessels, with permits issued by state-controlled Rosatom.