Good point. Theoretically, it is possible to maintain an open sealane from Greenland to eastern Alaska free of ice for shipping purposes (basically the historically NW passage) for about 2/3 of the year. Unclear if it is cost effective or practical to keep it open during the wintertime hard freeze.
If oil drilling or mineral gathering platforms get placed into the waters off the Northern Canada coast or near Greenland, the icebreakers must be used to keep them clear so the ice flows and freezing do not destroy them.
Don't forget Greenland. And Northern Canada, too.
Good point. Theoretically, it is possible to maintain an open sealane from Greenland to eastern Alaska free of ice for shipping purposes (basically the historically NW passage) for about 2/3 of the year. Unclear if it is cost effective or practical to keep it open during the wintertime hard freeze.
If oil drilling or mineral gathering platforms get placed into the waters off the Northern Canada coast or near Greenland, the icebreakers must be used to keep them clear so the ice flows and freezing do not destroy them.