Murmansk Shipping Company (MSCO) has signed a major contract to transport coal produced in the Russian Arctic to Europe via the Northern Sea Route. The contract was signed MSCO and Sibanthracite Overseas, a subsidiary of Russian coal company VostokCoal, and spans an initial period of five years. VostokCoal manages the development of the massive Taimyr coal basin, home to … [Read more...]
U.K. to Step Up Arctic Patrols to Counter Russian Polar Threat
By Kitty Donaldson (Bloomberg) -- The U.K. will send Royal Marines to Norway’s Arctic training program because of the growing threat of Russian aggression in the area as the polar cap melts. Some 800 marines will be deployed to Norway and four Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter planes will patrol Icelandic Skies, Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson told his ruling Conservative … [Read more...]
Maersk Sends First Containership Through Arctic Route
For Maersk, the trip the Northern Sea Route is a one-off trial for now. But, as climate change makes the Arctic route more accessible, there's growing interest that it could become a viable alternative to the Suez Canal, particularly from Russia. By Stine Jacobsen COPENHAGEN, Aug 24 (Reuters) - A Maersk vessel loaded with Russian fish and South Korean electronics will next … [Read more...]
Mattis: ‘America’s Got to Up Its Game in the Arctic’
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska, June 25 (Reuters) - The United States needs to "up its game" in the Arctic and deal with an increasingly important and developing part of the world, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Monday, as a warming Arctic opens up new sea lanes and oil and minerals reserves. "Certainly America’s got to up its game in the Arctic. There’s no doubt … [Read more...]
Study: Whales in Ice-Free Arctic Face Emerging Threat from Ships
As climate change brings a longer ice-free season and more commercial ships to the Arctic, a new study is recommending that precautionary measures be put in place to minimize the negative impacts of increased vessel traffic on marine mammals, namely from threats including noise and ship strikes. In the Arctic, mammals such as belugas and bowhead whales rely on a quiet … [Read more...]