South Korea Plans First Arctic Container Ship Test Voyage via Russia’s Northern Sea Route South Korea is preparing its first-ever container ship voyage through Russia’s Northern Sea Route, testing whether Arctic shipping can reshape Asia–Europe trade. The trial highlights Seoul’s ambitions to turn Busan into an Arctic hub, despite sanctions risks, high insurance costs and lingering geopolitical uncertainty.
U.S. Icebreaker Healy Wraps up Four-Month Patrol of Arctic, Countering Growing Chinese Presence U.S. Coast Guard icebreakersHealyandStorisconducted 129-day and 112-day Arctic deployments this summer. A substantial presence increase over previous summers. Both vessels monitored growing vessel activity in the region with five Chinese research vessels operating in the waters around Alaska.
NATO's Military Leader: “The Arctic in 2025 Is at a Crossroads” Reykjavik (High North News): The message from the Chair of the NATO Military Committee is clear: “Together, Russia and China aim to reshape the rules of access and influence, to their advantage, challenging openness, fairness, and the rule of law.”
UK Sanctions Target Russian Arctic LNG, With US Remaining on Sideline and EU Continuing Debate The UK increased pressure on Moscow with sanctions against major Russian oil companies, 44 shadow fleet vessels, and a Chinese gas import terminal. The impact of the sanctions remains to be seen as the US keeps on the sideline and debate in the EU about its 19th sanctions package is ongoing.
World’s Largest Container Shipping Company MSC Again Rules Out Arctic Shipping, As Chinese Companies Push Ahead The same week a Chinese container ship is attempting to make a record-setting Northern Sea Route transit from China to the UK in 18 days, European operator MSC reaffirmed its commitment to not ship via the Arctic. The company cited environmental concerns and lack of infrastructure as key reasons.
Deepening Russia-China Relations Continue to Drive Oil, Gas, and Container Traffic Along Arctic Shipping Lane Arctic transit shipping continues to be dominated by Russian-Chinese economic ties, a new CHNL analysis shows. Though an upcoming expansion of container service will bring Western European ports into the mix.
Chinese Research Vessels Enter U.S. Extended Continental Shelf in Arctic, Coast Guard Monitors with Icebreaker ‘Healy’ Chinese activity in the American Arctic continues to draw the attention of the U.S. Coast Guard. Two Chinese research vessels entering the Extended Continental Shelf now triggered a response by icebreakerHealyto monitor and shadow the vessels.
China Launches 18-Day Arctic Express Containership Route To Europe With Stops in UK, Germany, Poland A Chinese shipping company is set to launch the first liner-type container shipping route via the Arctic. The service will begin in September connecting three ports in China to four destinations in Western Europe. The country’s Ministry of Transport has begun to release live sea ice monitoring to improve safety for Arctic shipping.
Report: Most Chinese Investments in the Arctic Have Not Fully Materialized Outside of Russia, most recent Chinese investments in the other Arctic states have stalled or failed, according to a new report. "If we are to have a proper conversation about Chinese investments in the Arctic, it is important to create a joint, evidence-based understanding of the scale and scope," says researcher Anders Edstrøm.
NATO Secretary General’s Visit to Norway: Increased Focus on the High North Within the Alliance Ramsund and Evenes (High North News): NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte gained in-depth insight into the security situation in the High North when he visited Northern Norway last week. He also got to see how Norwegian and allied forces work together. A very important visit, says Rutte.
NATO Secretary General’s Visit to Norway: Increased Focus on the High North Within the Alliance Ramsund and Evenes (High North News): NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte gained in-depth insight into the security situation in the High North when he visited Northern Norway last week. He also got to see how Norwegian and allied forces work together. A very important visit, says Rutte.
China Asked to Remove Lion Statues in Svalbard Norwegian authorities require the lion sculptures that guard the entrance to China's research station in Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard to be removed.
China Looking to Buy More Russian Arctic LNG as EU Aims to Announce Plans in May to Phase Out Imports As the EU is gearing up to publish its roadmap to phase out Russian LNG, China’s appetite for deliveries of supercooled gas from the Arctic could see a rise in the coming months. Whether China will also welcome cargoes from the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project remains a key question.
US Government Investigates Strategic Importance of Northern Sea Route as Part of Study on Maritime Chokepoints The U.S. government’s Federal Maritime Commission has initiated an investigation of global maritime chokepoints. In addition to more traditional passages like the Suez Canal, it has also included the Arctic’s Northern Sea Route in the upcoming study. According to the FMC the route has the potential to reshape global trade patterns.
Arctic Security Researcher Troy Bouffard Strives for Real-World Relevance in His Work Bodø, Northern Norway (High North News): Dr. Troy Bouffard, Assistant Professor of Arctic Security at the University of Alaska, strives to make his research meaningful and relevant to the real world. "If I wanted my research to matter, I had to find out how Arctic security was connected to national security," he says to HNN.
The Geopolitical Development in the Arctic Reflects the World Order, Says Researcher UiT Researcher Rasmus Gjedssø Bertelsen rejects the idea of 'Arctic exceptionalism' and believes the Arctic mirrors the global power struggle between the East and the West. He believes this Arctic divide will likely only escalate. The US with Trump in the forefront will also impact this relationship, but the country will still have major security policy interests in the region, he says to HNN.
The US Steps Back From Arctic Science, Paves Way for China Six weeks into Donald Trump’s presidential term has seen major cuts and mass firings across the board. The US Arctic research community is now facing imminent cutbacks at a dire expense for the entire region. The void left by the US may be filled by other non-Arctic actors looking for a way in, such as China.
Norway and France Forge Closer Defense Ties With an View to the High North Norway and France recently signed a letter of intent on enhanced defense cooperation, emphasizing the significance of situational awareness and presence in the High North. "Protecting the maritime areas in Northern Europe is the key to European security," says the French minister of defense.
U.S. Sanctions Catch Up to Chinese Supplier Wison for Illicit Delivery of a Power Plant to Arctic LNG 2 As part of a massive sanctions package days before the end of the Biden administration, the U.S. blocked a key Chinese technology provider, Zhoushan Wison Offshore and Marine. The company had been the focus of a HNN investigation in October 2024.
Nord University Secures Major Funding for International Arctic Education A new 3-million NOK international education initiative will launch in January 2025, connecting three universities across Norway, China, and India. That is reported by the High North Center for Business and Governance in a press release.
Russia's Ambassador to Norway: Warns of Political Vacuum in the Arctic Region A lack of political dialogue and alienation between the Western Arctic states and Russia creates a vacuum in the region that others will seek to fill, states Nikolay Korchunov, Russia's long-time top Arctic diplomat and now new ambassador to Norway.
Strong Security Focus in Canada's New Arctic Foreign Policy "The Arctic is no longer a low-tension region," said Canada's minister of foreign affairs. Ottawa is now initiating an Arctic security dialogue, strengthening the security perspective at a regional level, and opening new consulates in Anchorage and Nuuk.
Strong Security Focus in Canada's New Arctic Foreign Policy "The Arctic is no longer a low-tension region," said Canada's minister of foreign affairs. Ottawa is now initiating an Arctic security dialogue, strengthening the security perspective at a regional level, and opening new consulates in Anchorage and Nuuk.
Strong Security Focus in Canada's New Arctic Foreign Policy "The Arctic is no longer a low-tension region," said Canada's minister of foreign affairs. Ottawa is now initiating an Arctic security dialogue, strengthening the security perspective at a regional level, and opening new consulates in Anchorage and Nuuk.
We Were Going to Save the Ocean and Free Ourselves From China, but Instead Ended Up in a Timeout Comment: Norway's proposal to open up for deep-sea mining was never even close to being realized. Now, Norway may instead have been a door opener for a major Chinese attack on the same minerals. That does not serve the ocean nation of Norway well.
Climate Change as a Threat Multiplier: “Directly Impacts Norwegian Security” Researchers at the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI) have researched how climate change can function as a threat multiplier for security in the Arctic. They emphasize that uncertainty is the biggest security threat and that they cannot observe any major changes in the security situation in the north so far.
Cargo Shipment from Belgium to Russia Highlights Continued Flow of LNG Technology from EU A cargo delivery from Antwerp in Belgium to Novatek’s Yamal LNG plant in the Russian Arctic raises questions about the effectiveness of EU sanctions. The Antwerp shipment is part of a much larger problem. By some accounts European companies have supplied more $600m worth of equipment to Russia since the beginning of the war.
US, Canada, and Finland Formalize Cooperation on Polar Icebreakers The US, Canada, and Finland recently signed a memorandum of understanding to begin working together on the design and construction of polar icebreakers. “This is a testament to the strength of allied cooperation in addressing strategic challenges,” say the parties.
Trump Presidency Could be Good News for Russia’s Arctic LNG Projects, Though Exact Policy Shift Hard to Predict The upcoming Trump presidency could provide some relief for Russia’s Arctic LNG project, experts told HNN. Existing sanctions may be eased and new ones could become less likely. The U.S.’ own LNG ambitions, however, could result in price pressure presenting a challenge to Arctic LNG 2 and Novatek.
China’s Wison New Energies At Risk of Sanctions U.S. Official Says as the Delivery of Arctic LNG Power Plant Imminent China's Wison New Energies exposes itself to significant sanctions risk if it delivers the power plant to Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project, a U.S. state department official stated to HNN. Two of the three vessels carrying the massive modules have now arrived at Russia’s doorstep after a month-long voyage across the partly ice-cover Arctic.
"The Entire Northern Hemisphere Can Be Controlled From the Space Above the Arctic" Reykjavik, Iceland (High North News): Technology and science must adapt to the geopolitical shifts in the far north, and space is becoming an increasingly significant arena. "The entire Northern Hemisphere can be controlled from the space above the Arctic," says Tim Reilly from the University of Cambridge, emphasizing that the race between the US and China revolves around technology ownership.
"China's Intentions in The Arctic Are Unclear - And That is a Growing Concern" Reykjavik (High North News): “When I first attended the Arctic Circle Assembly conference, the tone and content were different than now. The focus on security in the Arctic has become much stronger", says Admiral Rob Bauer, head of NATO's military committee. Now he warns about China's unclear, two-faced and increasing activity in the Arctic and the worrying Sino-Russian ties.
China-Russia Announce Plans for Five Ice-Capable Containerships for Year Round Arctic Service Russia and China's collaboration in the Arctic continues, now with new plans to build high ice-class containerships to begin year-round shipments on the Northern Sea Route. Though the details, including the size of the vessels and who will build them, remain scarce.
Wison Modules En Route to Arctic LNG Project In Defiance of Sanctions A Chinese-manufactured power plant for a sanctioned Russian LNG project continues to inch closer to the Arctic. Three heavy lift vessels have reached the northern Pacific and are days from passing through the Bering Strait.
China’s Coast Guard on First Patrol in the Arctic With Russia Chinese Coast Guard and Russian Border Service vessels have conducted a joint patrol in the Arctic Ocean for the first time. The interaction takes place in the wake of a memorandum of understanding that the parties signed last year on maritime law enforcement.
Inside the Elaborate Scheme to Transport a Chinese Power Plant to Russia’s Arctic Undetected In a desperate attempt to salvage Russia’s largest liquefied natural gas project a small fleet of Chinese cargo vessels has set sail for the Arctic. Aboard is a massive power plant for Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project, assembled at China’s Wison New Energies for the past two years. With only weeks left before winter sea ice will make the route impassible the delivery is a race against time and against Western sanctions.
Inside the Elaborate Scheme to Transport a Chinese Power Plant to Russia’s Arctic Undetected In a desperate attempt to salvage Russia’s largest liquefied natural gas project a small fleet of Chinese cargo vessels has set sail for the Arctic. Aboard is a massive power plant for Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project, assembled at China’s Wison New Energies for the past two years. With only weeks left before winter sea ice will make the route impassible the delivery is a race against time and against Western sanctions.
"The Cooperation Between Russia and China in the Arctic Is Still Limited" Researchers at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies believe the cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic is still limited despite significant focus and increased attention. "The Arctic is not a priority for China, while Russia fears Chinese influence in this strategically important region," writes Ingvill Moe Elgsaas and Rebekka Åsnes Sagild.
New Report: Busy Summer for Arctic Shipping on Russia’s Northern Sea Route Traffic between Russia and China continues to be the driver for Arctic transit shipping traffic on the Northern Sea Route, a new report by Center for High North Logistics shows. Crude oil, coal, and iron ore are flowing from Russia to China, while container shipping is occurring almost equally in both directions.
Record-size Container Ship Sets Course for Arctic via Norwegian Coastline A massive container ship the length of three football fields traveled up the Norwegian coastline en route to China over the weekend. It is the latest sign of increasing Arctic traffic passing through the Norwegian and Barents Seas, including sanctioned and possibly underinsured “shadow fleet” vessels.
Increased Chinese Interest in Svalbard The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) has registered an increased interest in Svalbard by China.
Chinese and Turkish Polar Researchers Explore Cooperation With Russia in Svalbard Last week, a Chinese research delegation visited Russia's science center in Barentsburg to discuss expanded cooperation in the Arctic. The parties agreed to start preparations for joint research projects. In July, Turkish polar researchers visited Pyramiden to gain closer insights into Russian plans for an international Arctic science station.
China and Russia With Joint Air Patrol off Alaska: First of Its Kind in the Area Last month, China conducted a naval transit as well as a joint air patrol with Russia, off the coast of Alaska. The latter joint operation with bombers is a new development and is a sign of closer military cooperation, says Professor Øystein Tunsjø at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies.
Chinese Wison New Energies Ceases Work on Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 Project In a surprise move Wison New Energies announced that it would halt all work with Russia. The company has been a key contributor to Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project. Its move could also be an attempt to shield itself from future sanctions, days after another Chinese yard was placed under sanctions by the U.S.
Critical Metals Corp. to Aquire Controlling Stake in Large Rare Earth Project in Greenland Mining company Critical Metals Corporation signs agreement to aquire controlling interest in the Tanbreez Rare Earth Mine, one of the world's largest known rare earth deposits.
