Six nations have been granted permanent observer status by the Arctic Council . The United States has also applied for permanent observer status, but it is not expected to be granted. For China , the main transportation focus is the NSR , which runs along the northern coastline of Siberia from Novaya Zemlya to the Bering Strait . The EU 's bid has been `` deferred '' , possibly due to an unresolved dispute with Canada . Melting ice in the Arctic region has opened up the North Sea Route , cutting shipping times .
Six nations have been granted permanent observer status by the Arctic Council . The United States has also applied for permanent observer status, but it is not expected to be granted. The EU 's bid has been `` deferred '' , possibly due to an unresolved dispute with Canada . Melting ice in the Arctic region has opened up the North Sea Route , cutting shipping times .