Historically, the polar regions have seen less maritime activity than other areas due to their remoteness, harsh environment, and lack of existing infrastructure. This has changed in recent years as the reduction of sea ice in the Arctic has opened up new routes to maritime transit through areas that were once difficult to access. When these new routes are available in the summer months, they may offer shorter voyage times compared to more traditional routes for transiting regions and increased presence in regions for tourism, fishing, and resource development, all of which may result in more ships in the Canadian Arctic. In addition to increased marine traffic in the Arctic, Antarctica has already become a popular destination for cruise ships, which can have hundreds or thousands of people onboard.
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