The Circle

A “polar code” for Arctic shipping is almost in place, but needs more awareness.

The reality is not if there will be an Arctic oil spill due to shipping but when and how frequently such accidents will happen.

If you want a safe, climate-conscious vacation stay close to home rather than cruising the Arctic, says one observer. Meanwhile those who hope to benefit from such cruises say careful advance planning is needed.

Arctic shippers view sea ice as something to be avoided, or where necessary to be broken up to allow ships access. For Arctic wildlife, the ice is a place to use to rest, feed, and give birth. What happens when icebreaker meets ice-dependent species?

Russia needs help if the northern sea route is to be safe and efficient.

What’s thick, sticky, and could have devastating local effects if spilled in the Arctic? The answer is heavy fuel oil (HFO) a shipping fuel used extensively in the Arctic.

This article originally appeared in The Circle 02.16. The rapidly changing Arctic faces new challenges. Therefore, new approaches to marine governance are needed to ensure the sustainability of the entire region and a healthy Arctic Ocean. The Arctic Council (AC) is evolving from a science dialogue forum to policy shaping regional instrument. Improving the implementation […]

International interest in the Arctic increased spectacularly between 2004-2008. This was due to a number of events including the 2004 Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, the dramatic Arctic sea-ice loss in 2007 and Russia planting its flag on the geographical North Pole’s deep sea-bed that same year. As Erik Molenaar writes, the flag planting triggered a […]

At sea, we only have a few centuries of experience in developing rules which, Alistair Graham observes, seem to be more about maintaining traditional freedoms than being mindful of others’ interests.

Rapid changes in climate, environment and sea ice conditions combined with a heightened interest from the environmental, scientific and business communities has ignited the Inuit’s drive to establish a framework for managing the Pikialasorsuaq area.