A ship has set a new speed record for traversing the Northern Sea Route in the Russian Arctic, thanks to thinner ice layers. The route is becoming increasingly important for shipping, with 15 LNG carriers built for the project, which will have an annual peak production of 16.5 million tons. This year's ice conditions were favourable, with spring ice melting starting half a month earlier than normal. The minimum extension of the Arctic ice cap during the year was 4.62 million square kilometres, the seventh lowest on record.