Arctic ship traffic reached a record 1,812 unique vessels in 2025, a 40% increase from 2013, according to data from the Arctic Council’s PAME working group. Total sailing distance nearly doubled over the same period, reflecting more frequent voyages linked to oil, gas, mining, and fishing activities. Traffic remains highly seasonal, peaking between August and October as sea ice retreats. Crude oil tanker movements have quadrupled in the past decade, while LNG shipping has expanded significantly to support projects such as Yamal LNG. Although activity along Russia’s Northern Sea Route has recently plateaued due to sanctions, overall Arctic maritime activity continues to grow.
