A shipping route through the central Arctic Ocean depends on significant reduction of ice thickness in that area.
The so-called multi-year ice in the central Arctic Ocean has been changing drastically (up to 40% decrease) and disappearing completely in the last 50 years.
If this development continues, ships with icebreaker abilities can navigate the central Arctic Ocean in nearest future.
The image shows a possible new shipping route in the future. Of course much of the ice would have to melt for this to come to reality.
The image also shows shy Iceland hopes to be utilized regarding Arctic Shipping, possibly with a hub-port to Europe and America.