According to Norway's Barents Observer, the Northern Sea Route along Russia's northern coast was open to ship traffic about a month longer than usual last season, and the highest number of cargo ships so far in one season traveled its length.
Thirty-four ships traversed the route in 2011, compared to just four in 2010. As a result, the tonnage carried through in 2011 was dramatically higher than in 2010.
The 2011 season also featured the first super tanker and the largest yet bulk carrier to make use of the passage.
Fifteen of the 34 vessels transported liquid cargo, three carried bulk, four refrigerator ships transported salmon, two vessels transported general cargo and ten vessels sailed in ballast.
Read more, and find a link to a comprehensive season summary for the Northern Sea Route, here.