Henry Hudson failed to get through it in 1610. Norwegian explorer , after two years pushing through narrow lanes between blocks of thick, compacted ice. That the journey could be much easier in years to come is no cause for celebration.
The symbolises the rapid decline of Arctic ice due to global warming: on Friday, the European Space Agency announced that the route is clear of ice for the first time since satellite records began 30 years ago.
Shipping firms are likely to be pleased, however, since the route…
