Warming opens famed Northwest Passage to navigation Glacial thawing in the Arctic is one of the most apparent effects of global warming. As icebergs continue to melt, the North Pole is becoming increasingly used as a shortcut for maritime traffic between Asia and Europe. But before ships can navigate these waters on a regular basis, ice breaker boats like the Amundsen have to clear the ice chunks that remain despite warming temperatures. A voiced AFPTV report.