Economy

U.S. Coast Guard Orders Five Icebreakers

The American shipbuilder Davie Defense has received a contract from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for the construction of five Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs).

Waste management in Antarctica (Part 1)

Can waste management practices in Antarctica provide a model of sustainability for extreme environments?

Largest oil field discovered on Yamal in 30 years

In the Arctic zone of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Gazprom Neft has discovered one of the most significant oil fields of the past 30 years.

The search for the fifth Shackleton Medal winner has begun

The search for the fifth recipient of the Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions has begun. The award is presented each year on the birthday of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton and aims to highlight the global importance of these sensitive regions.

Vegetable Farming at the Coldest Place on Earth

More than 200 different plant species have been successfully cultivated over the past five years at the coldest place on Earth.

New UN High Seas Agreement: What Opportunities Does It Offer for the Polar Regions?

On January 17, 2026, the BBNJ Agreement of the United Nations (Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction) entered into force.

When Will the Dispute Over Greenland Escalate?

For now, the situation still appears calm. It is still considered unlikely that the United States will gain control over Greenland in the near future.

Agreement on Air Traffic Control Signed in Nuuk

Greenland Airports and the Danish state-owned air navigation service provider Naviair have officially signed their agreement on the future provision of air traffic control at Nuuk Airport.

Norway and Russia Agree on Fishing Quotas for the Barents Sea

After record-long and difficult negotiations, Norway and Russia have reached an agreement on fishing quotas for the Barents Sea for the year 2026.

Oil Pipeline Through the Permafrost

With the “Vankor–Payakha–Sever Bay Pipeline,” Russia is pushing ahead with one of the largest energy projects in the High North.

The United States appoints a special envoy for Greenland

Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, has responded firmly to a new move by Donald Trump that has intensified diplomatic tensions surrounding Greenland.

Putin approves North Pole base and additional Arctic projects by decree

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered by decree on 15 December the construction of a non-permanent ice base at the North Pole.

Data Connection Planned Across the Arctic

With Polar Connect, a groundbreaking initiative is emerging that aims to digitally link Europe and Asia via an entirely new route.

Russia’s Arctic infrastructure is becoming increasingly vulnerable

The destruction of permafrost and extreme weather events could cost the economy billions of dollars.

Russian LNG tankers continue to use Norwegian ports for stopovers

Despite heightened geopolitical tensions and Western sanctions, Norway remains an important stopover point for LNG tankers transporting gas from the Russian Arctic.

Norway Pauses Deep-Sea Mining Plans Until 2029

Norway has decided to halt deep-sea mining plans in Arctic waters until at least 2029. The move was announced on 1 December 2024.

South Korea Is Investing Heavily in Building Arctic-Capable Ships

The South Korean government is pushing its Arctic strategy forward.

Ivittuut – Greenland’s forgotten cryolite capital

On the southwestern edge of Greenland lies the ghost town of Ivittuut. Once a lively settlement due to its global importance in the production of metallic aluminum.

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.