ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Northern Sea Route

The Northern Sea Route is a pathway for ships that goes through the Arctic Ocean and connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Imagine a big frozen ocean with a way for boats to travel through it from one side to another.

It is a very important route because it can help ships save time and money when traveling between Asia and Europe. Instead of going all the way around the southern tip of Africa or South America, they can go straight through the Northern Sea Route, which is shorter.

However, traveling through the Northern Sea Route can be very difficult because it is full of ice floes and the weather is very cold. Imagine trying to ride your bicycle through a snowstorm, it can be hard to see and very slippery. So, ships need special icebreakers to help them break through the ice and safely navigate the route.

The Northern Sea Route is also important because it is becoming more accessible as the Arctic ice melts due to climate change. This means more companies are interested in using the route to move goods, leading to concerns over environmental impact and territorial disputes between countries.

So, the Northern Sea Route is like a road in the middle of a frozen ocean that can help ships save time, but it can also be very challenging and has concerns about its impact on the environment.