Discovering a viable maritime trade route linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic has captured the collective global imagination for centuries . Geographically shorter than southern trade routes via the Panama and Suez Canals, the Arctic presents the possibility for more economical and timely commercial trade, but has historically been limited by thick multi-year ice and other navigational challenges. Amplified warming in the Arctic has caused September sea ice extent to decline at a rate of -13% per decade  and reduced sea ice thickness by 66%  between 1958-1976 and 2011-2018 . Regardless of mitigation efforts, it is expected that before mid-century the Arctic will be seasonally ice free for the first time in 2,600,000 years   and will make Arctic maritime trade a reality .
IPCC
Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
IPCC Report