We investigated local, regional, and national/international factors driving change in shipping in the Bering Strait region between 2015-2024. Reduced summer and fall Arctic sea ice from climate warming has expanded shipping seasons, potentially stimulating an increase in vessel traffic; however, local ice-free conditions remain highly variable. We formed vessel trips by linking successive vessel Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder locations. A vessel trip was created as soon as one of the following actions was observed: (1) the vessel stopped at a port that it had already visited, (2) the vessel left the study area, or (3) the year ended. AIS data also provided limited information on the vessel type and potential cargo. We analyzed changes in vessel trips on both sides of the Bering Strait in several categories: through traffic, traffic supporting Arctic mining or oil and gas development, fishing, tourism, provisioning communities in the region, and other (mostly general maritime support and navigation). We attempted to quantify specific effects of Covid 19, policies toward supporting Arctic communities, and international sanctions associated with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Although through traffic has been growing, it still represents only a relatively small fraction of total regional vessel activity.