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.
South Korea to Subsidize Construction of Ice-class Vessels and Expand Port in Support of Arctic Shipping South Korea announced substantial budget increases to support expansion of the port of Busan, readying it for future Arctic traffic and subsidizing domestic construction of ice-class ships. Capturing the promise of growing Arctic shipping traffic is part of efforts to revitalize the country’s southern industrial region.
South Korea To Enter Arctic Shipping With Pilot Operations During Summer 2026 South Korea will establish a dedicated Arctic shipping division within its new government and launch pilot operations next summer. The plans follow up on statements during President Lee’s election campaign, during which he suggested using Arctic shipping to economically revive the country’s southern ports.
South Korea Looking to Transform Port of Busan Into Arctic Shipping Gateway Could Arctic shipping revive and transform South Korea’s southern ports? Leading presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung believes so, touting his vision of the Asian nation as a key hub for emerging Arctic routes.
Trump Doubles Down on Alaska LNG Project Citing South Korean, Japanese Support Trump touts plans for “giant” Alaska LNG project with South Korean and Japanese support as he pushes for American energy independence. However, specifics remain scarce and even with Asian support the economics of the project remain in question, especially with a number of cheaper LNG projects coming online in the coming years.
South Korean Investors Explores Container Shipping on the Northern Sea Route "Korean investors are interested in building ships and participating in the creation and operation of an Arctic container line", says Alexei Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East.
Macron´s twofold Arctic policy to gain influence in the Arctic Commentary: France is drumbeating an environmental cause as part of a wider geopolitical strategy to gain more influence over Arctic decision making in the future.
Op-Ed: Warmer international relations can put Arctic fishing on ice "At a time of geo-political storms, a landmark deal on fisheries in the Arctic high seas proves the system may be under strain, but it is still fit for purpose," Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, writes in this opinion editorial.
