High North News - News, analysis and debate about politics and business in the North

zvezda scf vessel arc7

Russian Sovcomflot to Operate Sanctioned Zvezda Arc7 LNG Carrier for Arctic LNG 2

Despite mounting Western sanctions Russia’s largest shipping company Sovcomflot appears set to operate ice-capable LNG carriers for Arctic LNG 2 currently under construction in Russia. New photos show the SCF logo being painted on the side of the lead vessel, Aleksey Kosygin.

Fra pressemøte Rapp Bomek og Equinor

"An Important Agreement to Develop Industrial Jobs in Bodø, Northern Norway"

Bodø (High North News): The Northern Norway-based company Rapp Bomek develops and produces security products, fire doors, gates, and hatches made to endure explosions and other powerful strains. The company is now entering into a framework agreement with Equinor, providing a more solid foundation for further development.

Northvolt januar 2024

Northvolt Battery Files For Reorganization in The US

To avoid bankruptcy, the troubled battery manufacturer Northvolt is filing for reorganization and bankruptcy protection in the US, in a so-called Chapter 11 process.In addition, CEO and founder Peter Carlsson is stepping down with immediate effect.

Notices

Business / 22.11.2024

The Prime Minister of Norway to High North Dialogue

The next edition of the High North Dialogue conference will take place on…

POLITICS / 21.11.2024

New Svalbard white paper unanimously adopted

The Norwegian parliament unanimously adopted the new Svalbard white paper…

POLITICS / 21.11.2024

Yukon Arctic defence council calls for more attention to infrastructure

A council advising the Yukon on Arctic security recommends the territory…

POLITICSARCTIC LIVING / 20.11.2024

New report: Nunavut's child poverty rate is the highest in Canada

A new report shows that half of children under the age of six who live in…

Nordkvaløya-Rebbenesøya

Ecotourism – A Driving Force for Protection, Restoration and Sustainability Development of Coastal Ecosystems?

Op-ed: Tourism in the North Atlantic and Arctic is rapidly developing, with significant growth in Northern Lights and cruise tourism. Activities that are often seasonal and concentrated, leading to high tourism pressures and negative impacts. Can ecotourism initiatives contribute to conservation and restoration and contribute in a positive way and with mutual benefits?

Barentsrådet har utspilt sin rolle mener Finlands utenriksminister Elina Valtonen. (Foto: Lauri Heikkinen/Finlands regjering)

Finland Withdraws From the Barents Euro-Arctic Council

Finland will withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council after 2025 and rather invest in other formats for cooperation in the North. The country now has an idea about designing a joint strategic agenda for the northern regions of Finland, Norway and Sweden.

High North Young Entrepreneur 2024

Competition Launch: 'Win 50 000 NOK For Your Start-Up'

Last year, a company from northern Norway won the prestigious award. Now the search begins for next year's finalists for the High North Young Entrepreneur award.

High North News investigates: The Russian Gas Flow

zvezda scf vessel arc7

Russian Sovcomflot to Operate Sanctioned Zvezda Arc7 LNG Carrier for Arctic LNG 2

Despite mounting Western sanctions Russia’s largest shipping company Sovcomflot…

Also see

Arctic LNG 2 Facing Vessel Shortage as Zvezda Shipyard Delays Delivery, Japanese MOL Exits Charter Contract

LNG Carriers, Oil Tankers and Container Ships Race to Beat the Winter Ice on the Northern Sea Route

Belgium Pushes For Creation of EU-Wide Tracking System for Russian LNG

China’s Wison New Energies At Risk of Sanctions U.S. Official Says as the Delivery of Arctic LNG Power Plant Imminent

Höegh Esperanza floating LNG import ship at Germany’s Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal.

Germany Rejects Vessel Carrying Russian Arctic LNG, But Continues Indirect Imports Via EU Neighbors

Germany’s Ministry of the Economy instructed a state-owned liquefied natural gas…

von der leyen

European Commission’s Von Der Leyen Suggests EU Could Replace Russian LNG with U.S. Supply

Political discussions surrounding EU’s imports of Russian liquefied natural gas…

Donald Trump

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…

Fra havnen i Valdez, Alaska

Increased Oil Drilling in Alaska on the Agenda With New Trump Administration

The oil and gas industry plays a crucial role in the economy of Alaska, but many Alaskans are also torn on the issue of increased oil drilling, says longtime journalist in Alaska, Larry Persily. He shares his view on what a new Trump-administration will mean for oil and gas development in the US' Arctic state.

Forsvarsminister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) orienterte tirsdag om status i anskaffelsen av nye fregatter. – Et solid og forutsigbart sikkerhets- og forsvarspolitisk samarbeid er fundamentet for et strategisk partnerskap for anskaffelse og drift av fregatter, og det er avgjørende at Norge og partnernasjonen har gjensidige, langsiktige interesser, understreker han. (Foto: Synne Kvam/Forsvarsdepartementet)

Norway Explores Strategic Partnership With France, the UK, Germany, and the US on Frigates

Norway is to acquire new frigates in a strategic partnership with a close ally possessing coinciding strategic interests and an eye for the High North. France, the UK, Germany, and the US have now been selected as possible partner countries, says the Norwegian MoD.

Tree Planting Is No Climate Solution in the Arctic

Planting trees is a simple and efficient way to mitigate climate change. However, new research shows that planting trees in the Arctic could have the opposite effect and, in fact, increase global warming.

Celicie Myrseth besøksskatt Svalbard

Tourism Tax in Longyearbyen for Comment

The Norwegian Minister of Industry, Cecilie Myrseth (Labor), is launching a visitor's tax for Longyearbyen. The next phase it to consider how this can be expanded to apply to cruise tourists as well.

Arne O. Holm says

Arne O. Holm

Longyearbyen, Svalbard, From Democracy to Aristocracy of Officials?

Comment, Longyearbyen: I borrow some life experience from a friend living a varied life in Longyearbyen. "There have been some downs," he said, adding, "But there sure have been some uphills as well." Surveys show that the local population is happy in the town, while the business sector struggles in a near-endless bureaucratic anthill.

The USCGC Healy and the Canadian Coast Guard's icebreaker CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier at a joint operation in the Beaufort Sea on August 28th. (Photo: Michael Underwood/US Coast Guard) >

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.

High North Tour 2024

Arne O. Holm is Snowbound in Northern Finland and Experiences Kiruna's Cruisers in Their Natural Habitat

Editor and commentator in High North News, Arne O. Holm is forced to park the motorhome in heavy snow in northern Finland, but has a pleasant experience in northern Sweden.

Focus on Arctic Challenges at COP29

The UN's climate conference 2024, better known as COP29, is now taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Arctic is yet again on the agenda, this time focusing on the cryosphere and wildfires, particularly from an Indigenous perspective.

Torsketråler

Major Norwegian Trawling Company's Fleet Impacted By Reduced Fishing Quotas

The fishing quota situation for the remainder of 2024, and the outlook that entails further quota reductions in 2025, are challenging, emphasizes major Norwegian seafood corporation Lerøy Seafood Group in their quarterly report.

Höegh Esperanza floating LNG import ship at Germany’s Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal.

Germany Rejects Vessel Carrying Russian Arctic LNG, But Continues Indirect Imports Via EU Neighbors

Germany’s Ministry of the Economy instructed a state-owned liquefied natural gas terminal operator to reject a shipment of Russian Arctic LNG. The decision affirms the country’s position to not directly import Russian gas via pipeline or as LNG. But German imports of the country’s gas continue indirectly via the continent’s gas network.

Den norske fregatten KNM Roald Amundsen ledsager USS Harry S. Truman langs norskekysten. Hangarskipet er atomdrevet, 333 meter langt, 74 meter høyt – og 78 meter bredt. Om bord er et mannskap på rundt 3200 personer, og om lag 65 fly og helikoptre. (Foto: Ørjan Andreassen/Forsvaret)

US Aircraft Carrier Truman Trains With Norwegian Forces in the High North

The USS Harry S. Truman and its fighters are now conducting interoperability training with Norwegian forces in Northern Norway. "This demonstrates our allies’ ability and willingness to defend Norwegian areas of interest in the North,” says the Commander of the 132nd Air Wing at Ørland Air Station.

Sjefen for den norske ubåttjenesten, kommandør Jim Robertsen, tok nylig imot sjefen for ubåter i Nato, kontreadmiral Bret Grabbe, ved Haakonsvern orlogsstasjon. (Foto: Malene Flekke/Forsvaret)

“NATO Keeps a Close Watch Over Maritime Activity in the North,” Says COMSUBNATO

NATO conducts regular submarine patrols in the North Atlantic and also surveils maritime activity closely using aircraft and surface ships, says the alliance's Commander of Submarines during a visit to Norway. Recently, Norway’s submarine HNoMS Utstein completed a NATO-led patrol in the North.

Arne O. Holm says

Arne O. Holm

The Problem Is Not What Donald Trump Says He’ll Do, but That We Don’t Know What He’ll Do

Kilpisjärvi (Comment): The problem is not what Donald Trump says he'll do. The problem is that no one knows what he's going to do. That will affect the Arctic not just for the four following years but perhaps forever.