Economy

Deep-Sea Mining in the Arctic: Opportunity for the Energy Transition – or Threat to a Fragile Ecosystem?

The Arctic holds mineral resources that are becoming increasingly important for a climate-friendly future. Against this backdrop, Norway faces a decision with far-reaching consequences

Russia withdraws from the Barents Sea Agreement

The Barents Sea faces the threat of an environmental disaster following the potential collapse of the fisheries agreement between Norway and Russia.

New Russian-Chinese Collaboration in the Polar Regions

Russia and China will jointly train specialists for navigation in polar waters, according to a memorandum signed during Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit to China, the Russian Ministry of Transport announced on its Telegram channel.

Precious metal production in Chukotka continues to grow

Chukotka is a remote region in north-eastern Russia, home to several large gold mines. The region is known for its harsh climate and difficult living conditions.

Rosatom develops new floating power plants

Rosatom has begun developing a new floating nuclear power plant with a capacity of 180 megawatts. This was announced by the deputy director general of the corporation, Andrei Nikipelov. ‘We plan to build a whole series of floating power plants.

Through the Northeast Passage in record time

The Chinese container ship «Istanbul Bridge» has completed the route from China to the United Kingdom via the Arctic in just 20 days.

The Polar Retrospective – A new map, a new vessel, and a new threat for Arctic foxes

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world’s polar regions. This week we take a look at a new map of Alexander Island, a new Canadian inuit-owned fishing vessel, and a new viral threat for Arctic foxes on Svalbard.

China's Arctic Paradox: Calling for Caution Amidst Shipping Expansion

While Chinese scientists issue urgent pleas to limit Arctic shipping to protect the region from the environmental impact, Chinese shipping companies plan on sending more and more vessels into the Arctic

Meet Karl Sandgreen, CEO of the Icefjord center, in Ilulissat

Ice, fishing, education, municipal elections, Greenlandic independence and the tourist economy are all subjects that cross the mind of the director of the Icefjord Center, a resident of Greenland's third-largest city.

Nunavut, a bright spot in the Arctic's socio-economic doldrums

The economic dynamism of Canada's north did not go unnoticed by Business Index North researchers when they looked at economic development in the Arctic.

Krill - "This year, unfortunately, we did not reach an agreement"

At the 43rd meeting of the CCAMLR Commission, the divergence of vision between environmental conservation and sustainable fishing came face to face to the extent that no agreement was reached on the future of krill fishing. On the one hand, a project for a marine protected area around the Antarctic Peninsula, and on the other, a modernisation and increase in the allocation of fishing quotas. To find out more about this unprecedented event, we spoke to Dr. Javier Arata, executive officer of ARK, the association of companies for responsible krill fishing.

"These companies are destroying the environment and harming the local people in Chukotka"

The Beringovsky mine has been operated since 2016 by an Australian company, which withdrew from the project this summer. The company avoided Western sanctions thanks to a complex set-up of Cyprian and Russian companies, but none of this would have been revealed had the mine not been the scene of an environmental and human disaster. Ilya Shumannov, CEO of Arctida, conducted an extensive investigation. He told us all about it.

The Arctic is getting more light pollution due to increasing industrial activities

The area affected by oil and gas production and mining in the Arctic is growing every year, as a new study by the University of Zurich shows. In addition to night-time light pollution, industrial activities lead to numerous other problems for nature and the environment.

"In the Arctic, there are no small accidents"

The challenges of maritime safety in polar zones were discussed with sailors, instructors and researchers in Brest during Sea Tech Week. The workshop was organized by Anne Choquet, a lawyer specializing in polar areas, and Roberto Rivas Hermann, a researcher at the Center for Northern Logistics, who came to Brest from Bodo, Norway, for a residency.

The Polar Retrospective - Antarctic awakening

In shrinking Soviet towns, Northern Sea Route promise is keeping hope alive

A research project at the University of Vienna is attempting an, at the moment, difficult task: to conduct anthropological research on the Russian Arctic.

When regulation is lacking and demand growing, whales should not pay the bill

The attraction and curiosity about whales can be mutual if all the conditions are met. But when economic attraction and a lack of regulation combine, the whale-watching industry can turn into a hunt that is disrespectful of the sensibilities of these marine mammals.

Small passenger vessel sinks in South Greenland – concern about oil pollution

The passenger ship Adolf Jensen ran aground and sank off Nanortalik in southern Greenland last week. All passengers and crew members managed to evacuate, but there are concerns about a possible leak of engine oil and diesel.

Greenland start-up to build dam and export glacial water across the world

The Government of Greenland sees the permission to exploit a river in South Greenland as part of a larger strategy to exploit its water and ice resources.

Expedition cruise ship organization visited Ilulissat to ease increasing tensions

Arctic cruise ship operators have faced headwinds in Greenland this summer, but AECO, an organization representing their interests, hopes that a three-day visit last week will be the start of a needed dialogue.

Meeting in Arkhangelsk, the Sibylline development of the Russian Arctic

The Arkhangelsk Arctic Forum came to a close at the beginning of August. Russian regions and central administrations are trying to attract foreign investors to develop the Northern Sea Route. Experts, however, are more critical.

Arctic sea cucumbers - the delicious seafloor treasure that Greenland wants a piece of

A seemingly endless demand in Asia has opened the eyes of fishers in the Arctic where seabeds can be covered with sea cucumbers.

The Polar Retrospective - Return to sender from the Arctic

While soot and pollutants are transported from the south to the Arctic, substances bound in the permafrost are now being transported back to the south by the tundra fires.

Chile has strengthened the application of Antarctic law

Over the past year, Chile has taken steps to enforce its Antarctic Law, adopted in 2020, by including behaviors prohibited in Antarctica in the list of acts subject to sanctions, defined in a 2023 law on economic crimes. Interview with Catalina Sepúlveda, Antarctic law expert.

The Polar Retrospective - Arctic leaks

Leaking tanks and pipelines, diesel and cyanide pollution of soil and water have been going around in the Arctic in recent weeks.

Marine protected areas and toothfish fishing around Heard and McDonald

The project to extend the marine park of the Australian archipelago closest to Antarctica has just been opened to public consultation, and the question of fishing is inevitably on the agenda. Survey.

How a Greenland mine is becoming vital to NASA’s moonbase plans

To build anything on the Moon, a mineral found in Greenland is needed, so NASA, ESA, and universities across the world are buying more and more of it.

Towards a regulation of Antarctic tourism

The growth of tourism in Antarctica is not without concern for the Treaty's Consultative Parties. In a press release issued at the end of the Kochi meetings, its Secretariat announced its intention to provide a better framework for this activity. But views still differ widely.

Astronaut visited Greenland to kickstart its space potential

Five unique factors could help Greenland become part of the growing global space industry, astrophysicist tells Polar Journal.

Nuuk Airport postpones terminal opening

It is not unusual for complex buildings such as airports to occasionally experience delays. However, it is special if the commissioning is canceled just on the evening before.

Could seaweed be Greenland’s next big export?

The “climate-friendly superfood” can help remote villages battling unemployment, and its supply is seemingly endless.

Nornickel to relocate copper production to China

In order to circumvent the sanctions, Nornickel will relocate the smelting capacity of the Norilsk copper plant to China. A joint venture with China is to be established for this purpose.

South Korea in Arctic dilemma as relationship to Russia deteriorates

Three key Arctic policy areas of South Korea’s have been affected by Russia’s strengthened relationship with North Korea.

Curtain up for "Polar Jobs" on Labor Day

The Polar Retrospective - Polar opportunities

The Arctic is changing and offers new economic opportunities, but these must be sustainable, socially just and, above all, involve the indigenous population.

Murmansk builds port for Belarus

A port for bulk cargo for the handling of Belarusian goods, including potash fertilizers, is to be built in the Murmansk region.

How can we reinvent polar research in France?

This week in Brest, a meeting of researchers shows that the scientific community is rethinking its approach to polar issues.

Polar ships of the future: Less ice means need for more icebreakers

The Arctic Ocean is opening up, and the company KNUD E. HANSEN is busy designing the vessels that will sail it.

The Polar Retrospective - Looking at the Arctic labor market

The open-pit mining of raw materials in the Canadian Arctic is not only tearing huge holes in the landscape, but also in society if it is discontinued.

Novatek could discontinue production at Arctic LNG-2

Novatek has significantly reduced the production of liquefied natural gas at its Arctic LNG 2 project. The reason for this decision is a lack of storage facilities and ships.

Schumann-Reisen discontinues Arctic and Antarctic tours

"Traveling to the Poles is a very special and fascinating experience. Our guests who wanted to experience this with us regret that we no longer offer these trips."

"Vasily Golovnin" supplies two Indian Antarctic stations

The "Vasily Golovnin" continued its Antarctic expedition in 2023-2024. The ship left Cape Town at the end of December 2023 and supplies two Indian stations in the Antarctic.

"Convince the Prime Minister to set up the Polar Interministerial Commission"

Yesterday evening saw the conclusion of a strategy meeting for French action in the poles. Polar issues are emerging on the political agenda in France.

Russia ends Barents Sea fisheries agreement with UK

In a meeting on March 6, 2024, the Russian Federation Council agreed to end the fisheries agreement between the former USSR and Great Britain.

The European Union sets up in Nuuk

On a trip to Greenland and the Faroe Islands, the European Commission's highest representative puts the Arctic back on the political agenda.

Elon Musk’s Starlink is disrupting Greenland’s expensive internet market

The new Low Earth Orbit satellites could make the country dependent on a foreign tech giant but could also help provide stable access in remote parts.

Antarctica provides at least $276 billion a year in economic benefits to the world

A new study published in Nature examines the economic value of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean to the global economy.

Monaco works for greater cooperation in polar sciences

Last Thursday and Friday, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation's Polar Symposium took place in the century-old Oceanographic Museum, between the Palais princier and the Mediterranean, bringing together scientists and experts, advocacy officers and directors of organizations, representatives of indigenous peoples and heads of state.