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How could the Northwest Passage shorten a voyage between London and Tokyo?

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Map of the Arctic region highlighting the Northwest Passage, a maritime route shown with a red line connecting the Atlantic Ocean near Greenland to the Pacific Ocean via the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, passing north of Canada and Alaska through the Bering Sea. Major islands and surrounding countries such as Russia, Norway, Denmark (Greenland), the United States (Alaska), and Canada are labeled.
Northwest Passage

The Northwest Passage could significantly shorten a voyage between London and Tokyo by providing a more direct northern sea route across the Arctic Archipelago of North America.1

Currently, maritime travel between these two cities often relies on longer routes, such as the 14,670-mile (23,600-km) journey around Africa that became necessary when the Suez Canal was closed between 1967 and 1975. By utilizing the Northwest Passage, the total distance of the voyage could be reduced to less than 8,000 miles (12,870 km).1

While this route offers a substantial reduction in distance, its viability as a commercial trade route remains complex. Factors such as the high cost of ice-strengthened vessels, significant insurance premiums for Arctic service, and the environmental necessity of adhering to pollution-control regulations continue to influence its use. Additionally, while global warming has led to record minimums in summer sea-ice coverage, the passage remains a challenging environment for navigation.12