The Past.....Present

Since Amundsens' Gjoa made the the first recorded successful transit of the Passage in 1903, only 351 complete maritime transits have been made as of the end of 2022.

The next recorded voyage, after Amundsen took place in 1940 - 42 by a Royal Canadian Mounted Police vessel, the St Roch.

In 1969, the SS Manhattan, a specially modified oil tanker, became the first commercial vessel to use the Northwest Passage.

The ships bow was modified to slide up onto the ice and then crush the ice to clear a path.

En route with a Canadian icebreaker in attendance

The voyage of the Manhattan sparked international argument as to who actually owned the Northwest Passage.

Canada claimed the waters as within their territorial boundaries whilst others, especially America, took the view that the Passage was within International waters.

Which category the waters fall into has significance in terms of controlling the movement of vessels, enforcing environmental standards on ships, mineral rights and collecting fees for sailing the Passage.

The dispute has not yet been resolved and there is at the moment an "agree to disagree" policy so as to avoid tension in the area.

Up until 2006, the number of vessels making the journey each year numbered around 4 or 5. Mainly icebreakers with a smattering of private boats.

Canadian Icebreaker from the 70's

British yachtsman, David Scott Cowper took his converted lifeboat through in 1986 - 89 after overwintering for 2 years.

The Kapitan Klebnikov, a Russian icebreaker converted to carry passengers has made 18 transits since the early 90's.

Graeme Kendall from New Zealand became the first person to sail solo and non stop through the Passage in the 12m long Astral Express.

In 2016, the Crystal Serenity, took 1,725 passengers and crew through the Passage, the largest cruise liner to do so.

In 2022, 27 ships transited, 10 cruise ships, 8 cargo ships and 9 private vessels.