2024 Top 10: The Flow of Russian Gas On Top for 2024
2024 Top 10 includes Russian gas, shipping, defense and a Swedish catastrophe movie.
Dear reader. You have spoken, and the message is clear: Our Russian gas and shipping coverage is of most interest, interspersed with security policy and a Swedish disaster film. Here is the top 10 list for 2024.
1. Inside the Elaborate Scheme to Transport a Chinese Power Plant to Russia’s Arctic Undetected (Oct 2024)
In a desperate attempt to salvage Russia’s largest liquefied natural gas project a small fleet of Chinese cargo vessels set sail for the Arctic. Aboard was 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 became a race against time and Western sanctions.
2. Germany Continues to Import Russian Natural Gas Through Belgium and the Netherlands (Feb 2024)
Despite stopping direct imports of Russian natural gas in 2022, significant quantities continued to reach Germany via its neighbors. Advocates urged Germany to stop buying Russian fuels and to stop thus indirectly funding its war efforts.
3. Russian Politician Hints at Alaska Annexation (Des 2023)
A Russian politician and close confidante of Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that Moscow should consider taking back Alaska from "a weakened USA."
4. Russia Inks Deal with Dubai’s DP World to Develop Arctic Container Shipping (Oct 2023)
A joint venture with Emirati logistics company DP World was the latest sign that Russia was looking for new partners to push ahead with the development of its Arctic shipping routes. At the same time, forecasts suggested Western sanctions may negatively impact shipping volumes on the Northern Sea Route.
5. The Fictional Story of the 2020 Kiruna Mine Earthquake (Feb 2024)
The town of Kiruna in the Swedish Arctic is sinking due to the giant mine below and the town is in danger of collapsing. The residents have to evacuate, but the mining town is sinking faster than anyone thought. This is the plot behind the Netflix movie The Abyss, based on a real-life event.
"Nordic Response will be an important milestone within further Nordic integration and for our new regional plan for the northwest," stated the Chair of NATO's Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer. (Photo: Odin Kjendalen/The Norwegian Armed Forces)
In March, Norwegian, Finnish, and Swedish forces practiced defending allied territory in the High North – reinforced by allies from North America and south of Europe. Major military operations was planned at sea, on land, and in the air. Russia was informed about the exercise but had not been invited as an observer.
7. Russia's Novatek on Track to Complete 2nd Train of Arctic LNG 2 in 2024 (Jan 2023)
The final module for the 2nd production line of Russian gas producer Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project, had departed from China. In February of this year the company integrated the last three modules ahead of towing the LNG train to the Gydan peninsula last summer. While US sanctions had not yet halted construction, it remained to be seen how much LNG Novatek would be able to sell.
8. Researchers’ Response to the Swedish War Warning (Jan 2024)
The Swedes must prepare for war, the country’s defense leadership stated. This is timely language, sayd one Norwegian researcher – while another supported Norway's sober threat communication. Such strong wording is unnecessary in Finland, notes a Finnish researcher.
9. Freyr Stops Battery Production and Lays Off Employees (Aug 2024)
The battery company Freyr had to lay off several employees and make "significant downsizing." The production of battery cells in Mo i Rana was put on hold.
10. Increased Allied Military Presence in Iceland (Sept 2024)
Iceland welcomed German fighters, US strategic bombers – as well as the commander of both the US Air Forces in Europe and NATO's Air Command. At the same time, Russian strategic bombers carried out two sorties in the High North.