How Russia hopes to profit from climate change

As Arctic ice melts, as expected due to climate change, previously frozen northern waterways could become a valuable new shipping lane for Moscow. To access that route, sometimes known as the Northern Sea Route, would require Russian-issued permits and drive shipping traffic through the country.

Next week, shipping giant Maersk will pioneer exploratory efforts to open a northern shipping route through the Arctic for container ships. Maersk will send its 3,600 20-foot ice-class container ship, the Venta Maersk, through the route carrying a cargo load of frozen fish and Korean electronics.