The Northern Atlantic Sea Route

This route connects the two most industrially advanced regions of the world: the north-eastern United States and north-western Europe. Because both regions are manufacturing powerhouses with high consumer demand, the volume of goods shipped between them is enormous.

The foreign trade carried on the Northern Atlantic Sea Route is greater than the foreign trade of the rest of the world combined. One-fourth of the entire world’s foreign trade moves along this single corridor. For this reason, it is the busiest sea route in the world and is often called the Big Trunk Route.

Both coasts that this route links are lined with highly advanced ports and harbour facilities. On the American side, major ports include New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. On the European side, key ports include Rotterdam, London, Hamburg, Antwerp, and Le Havre. The route itself runs roughly along the great circle path across the North Atlantic, passing near Newfoundland and Ireland. …