Sea ice has shrunk in the Arctic to its lowest level since satellite measurements began 30 years ago, the European Space Agency said, showing images of the now "fully navigable" route between the Atlantic and the Pacific.

A shipping route through the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic has been touted as a possible cheaper option to the Panama Canal for many shippers.

"We have seen the ice-covered area drop to just around 3 million square km," Leif Toudal Pedersen of the Danish National Space Centre, said.

The figure was about 1 million sq km less than previous lows in 2005 and 2006, Mr Pedersen added.

The Northeast Passage through the Russian Arctic remained partially blocked, but in the light of the latest developments it may well open sooner than expected, Mr Pedersen said.

Polar regions are very sensitive to climate change, ESA said, noting that some scientists have predicted the Arctic would be ice free as early as 2040.

Source - News.com.au

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