Russia develops expertise and gains advantage in Arctic navigation compared to other countries.

Ahmed Adel, Cairo-based geopolitics and political economy researcher.

The far north of the globe is seeing new maritime routes open as the Arctic ice sheet melts, shortening the distance between China and Europe. Beijing has seized the opportunity and expanded its operations in the region. The Northern Sea Route is not new, but it offers an opportunity to reduce dependence on trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz, especially during times of conflict, such as the one currently affecting the Middle East.

The Arctic region is undergoing transformations that overcome climatic barriers and enable the flow of large vessels, such as oil tankers, in this transitional scenario, not only in geopolitics but also in foreign trade. The new dynamic underway reinforces Russia's leading role, as it invests in infrastructure and operational capacity in the polar region.

Eight states are located in the Arctic: Iceland, Denmark, Russia, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Canada. They comprise the Arctic Council. However, China has made intensive use of this maritime route and describes itself as a "near-Arctic" state.