Ships, Soot, and a Warming Arctic
As the Arctic warms and sea ice melts, new shipping routes are opening in waters that were once frozen year-round. But this surge in traffic comes with a hidden cost: black carbon, or soot, released by ships. When it settles on ice and snow, it darkens surfaces and absorbs sunlight, speeding up melting. “It ends up in a never-ending cycle of increased warming,” says Sian Prior, lead adviser for the Clean Arctic Alliance. This cycle not only threatens Arctic ecosystems but also has ripple effects on global weather patterns.
International Efforts Face Hurdles
France, Germany, Denmark, and the Solomon Islands recently proposed that the International Maritime Organization require ships in Arctic waters to use cleaner “polar fuels,” which emit less carbon than traditional maritime fuels. The plan would cover all ships traveling north of the 60th parallel. Yet progress is slow. A 2024 ban on heavy fuel oil has only modestly reduced emissions, and geopolitical tensions — including U.S. interest in Greenland and past lobbying against climate regulations — have delayed stronger international action. Even within Arctic nations, industries like fishing have resisted stricter fuel rules due to cost concerns.
Rising Traffic and Emissions
Ship activity in the Arctic has surged: between 2013 and 2023, the number of vessels north of the 60th parallel rose 37%, while total miles traveled more than doubled. Black carbon emissions climbed from 2,696 tonnes in 2019 to 3,310 tonnes in 2024, with fishing boats as the largest contributors. Experts warn that regulating fuel is the most realistic way to curb pollution, as limiting traffic entirely is unlikely given the economic benefits of shorter Arctic shipping routes. Some companies, mindful of safety and environmental risks, have pledged to avoid the Northern Sea Route, but without stronger regulations, the Arctic remains at serious risk.
