What is Transpolar Sea Route?

The Transpolar Sea Route, also called the TSR is an Arctic Shipping route that stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean from the centre of the Arctic Ocean. It is shorter and deeper than the Northern Sea Route. This direct route via the North Pole would connect markets in North America, Europe and Asia.

It is also referred to as the Trans-Arctic Route and unlike the Northeast Passage, Northern Sea Route and Northwest Passage, it avoids the territorial waters of the Arctic states and is situated on the high seas.

This route is presently navigable only by heavy nuclear icebreakers due to the presence of thick ice cover in the Arctic. However, due to climate change and global warming, the ice cover is disappearing faster than scientists had predicted.

There is a big possibility that the Transpolar Sea Route may open completely for conventional vessels by the mid-century or by the 2050s, bringing new opportunities and a significant change in the world maritime landscape.

This route is around 3900 km long and reduces sailing time and distance between Europe and Asia. It is also the shortest Arctic shipping route, compared to the Northern Sea Route and Northwest Passage which are both coastal lanes.

The transpolar sea route passes through the middle of the ocean, close to the North Pole. Given the seasonal variation in ice cover in the Arctic basin, it is said that the Transpolar Sea route would not operate as a fixed route but rather would include several navigational lanes.

Since it is near the exclusive economic zones of the Arctic States, it has a special geopolitical significance for local communities and its complete opening could bring in many economic growth opportunities for the region.

While legal disputes, disagreements and conflicts surround the other two arctic routes since they pass from near the coasts, this route will be outside the territorial jurisdiction of any state as it lies in international waters, making it beneficial for all.

Chinese Icebreaker Xue Long was one of the first major ships to use this route in its 2012 voyage through the Arctic Ocean.

In 2019, Bremenports, a German Company entered into an agreement for constructing the Finnafjord Port in Iceland to cater to Trans-Arctic maritime trade.

Additionally, developing ports and cargo handling facilities or transhipment centres in the Bering Straits and Fram Straits could help tap the economic advantages once the route becomes fully operational in the future.

Trans-Arctic shipping would not be a substitute for the already existing routes but would offer additional capacity for growing shipping volumes around the world.

The Arctic region is known for its untapped hydrocarbon resources and other economic activities that would lead to improved integration of the Arctic economy in global trade.

The Arctic has become quite politicised after the issue of the Transpolar Sea Route surfaced. It has also influenced the policy decisions of the Arctic nations. The region’s potential economic and geostrategic significance has started to attract the attention of non-arctic players who are trying to define and reshape their intentions and interests.

The People’s Republic of China and the European Union are the most important non-arctic actors which are keen on developing this route.

The Northeast Passage and the Northwest Passage have been used by Indigenous peoples, sailors, explorers, navies and shipping lines. The Transpolar Sea Route has been mythologized since the Age of Exploration however it began to be somewhat used in the second half of the 20th century after nuclear icebreakers and submarines developed.

While the Northern Sea Route decreases sailing times between Europe and East Asia from 30 days through the Suez Canal to 18 days, the Transpolar Sea Route provides even more time savings by cutting an additional 1 to 5 days from the journey. Ultimately, the Transpolar Sea Route could challenge the utility of the other Arctic routes.

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Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

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