A Russian fishing trawler in the harbour of Båtsfjord in northern Norway. Russian fishing vessels are still permitted to operate in certain Norwegian waters. Several trawlers have recently been repeatedly spotted over the routes of the undersea cables between the Norwegian mainland and Svalbard. (Ph
An aerial view of the port of Churchill on Hudson Bay. The grain terminal, rail link and quay facilities could play a key role in future year-round shipping between the Canadian hinterland and international markets. (Photo: Arctic Gateway Group)The Canadian port of Churchill on Hudson Bay could in f
The Chilean research and logistics settlement centred around the Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva Base on King George Island. The island is considered a possible terminus for a future fibre-optic link between South America and Antarctica. (Photo: Mefisto29 / Wikimedia Commons)Antarctica could, for t
Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a keystone species in the Southern Ocean’s food web. These small crustaceans are an important food source for whales, penguins, seals and fish. (Photo: Uwe Kils / Wikimedia Commons)The krill fishery in Antarctica has once again been brought to a premature close
The Bharati research station in the Larsemann Hills of East Antarctica is India’s most modern Antarctic base. Since 2012, it has served as a base for international research projects on climate, geology, glaciology and oceanography. (Photo: NCPOR)India aims to raise public awareness of its polar and
September 5, 2026 marks the first International Day of Indigenous Women, while a decades-old case concerning their treatment in Greenland continues to be addressed. Nearly 90% of Greenland’s population is Inuit, comprising three major groups: the Kalaallit, the Iivit and the Inughuit/Avanersuarmiut.
A mystery from the ice dating back to 1943. A mysterious death in Berlin in 2026. And a vulnerability in global IT security that could lead the world to the brink of disaster.A single faulty key in the eternal ice alters the course of two centuries’ history.Berlin, 2026: When civil engineer Liv Voss
Young southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) have made themselves comfortable right between the buildings of the Australian research station on Macquarie Island. Seals regularly gather there among the station buildings, and researchers must share the limited space with the island’s animal inhabi
Artist’s impression of the new Scott Base on Ross Island. The new development includes modern research and operational buildings as well as an upgraded energy infrastructure, and is due to be completed by 2030. (Artist’s impression: Antarctica New Zealand)New Zealand has signed the construction cont
The ‘Chukotka’ in the Arctic pack ice. (AI-generated illustration: PolarJournal)Russia’s expansion of its nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet is being delayed. The ‘Chukotka’, the next icebreaker in the Project 22220 class, is not due to enter service at the end of 2026 as planned, but not until 2027.T
The LNG plant on Melkøya near Hammerfest at dusk. On the right, the gas tanker Arctic Discoverer is docked at the terminal to be loaded. (Photo: Virtual-Pano / Wikimedia Commons)Norway intends to continue developing its oil and gas reserves in the Barents Sea – even though the European Union is crit
At around 7 pm on 15 August, the ‘Dubai Tower’ set sail from the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan. This marked the official start of the weekly summer service of the China-Europe Arctic Express (CAX) to Europe via the Arctic’s Northeast Passage. (Photo: Jiang Yushi / People’s Daily)Shipping along the Russian
Rendering of the planned new buildings at Davis Station: the elevated, red-clad modules are intended to modernise Australia’s research base whilst also providing better protection against snow build-up and the extreme Antarctic conditions. (Image: Australian Antarctic Division)Australia has taken a
Artist’s impression of the future Russian research and expedition vessel “Ivan Frolov”. The Project 23680 vessel is set to serve as the new flagship for Russian polar research in the Arctic and Antarctic. (Photo: AARI)Construction of the new Russian research and expedition vessel “Ivan Frolov” is pr
Whilst expedition ships carrying fewer than 500 passengers allow shore excursions, large cruise ships such as the Celebrity Equinox, carrying over 3,100 passengers, usually sail through Antarctica without allowing passengers to go ashore. (Photo: Celebrity Cruises)Tourism in Antarctica has been grow
From 20 to 23 August 2026, Hobart will be celebrating its unique connection to Antarctica – with science, history and activities for the whole family. Hobart’s waterfront. (Foto: AAF)The Australian Antarctic Festival will return to Hobart’s waterfront from 20–23 August 2026, celebrating Australia’s
The Xuelong 2 leaves the port of Dalian and sets off on China’s 16th Arctic expedition. (Photo: MNR)China has officially launched its 16th Arctic expedition. It is the country’s first research mission to the Arctic under the current 15th Five-Year Plan. The expedition set sail on 3 July 2026 from th
The Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker ‘Rossiya’, part of Project 10510 ‘Lider’, is set to become the world’s most powerful icebreaker with an output of 120 megawatts (163,000 PS) and enable year-round shipping through the Northeast Passage. (Photo: Rosatomflot)With the construction of the new nucle
The Professor Molchanov belongs to the so-called “Akademik Shuleykin class” of small research vessels. It was specifically designed to operate in cold waters and near-ice regions, making it particularly suitable for expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic.After an interruption of almost three decade
This is what the new Indian research vessel is expected to look like in the future — modern technology and innovative equipment are set to establish new standards for maritime research. (Photo: NCPOR)On April 8, 2026, a major milestone was reached in the construction of a new Indian ocean research v
Due to the influence of tides and mechanical breakdown, plastic in water is transformed into microplastics. These are tiny plastic particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm (up to 5000 micrometers). (Photo: Unsplash)While the world powers compete for control of the Arctic, a new and unexpected con
The St. Kliment Ohridski Station is a central pillar of Bulgaria’s Antarctic strategy: it strengthens the country’s international research presence while also serving as a training site for young scientists in the natural and geosciences. (Photo: BAI)Bulgaria began its Antarctic activities as early
The Madrid Protocol functions as a long-term spatial ordering device. This environmental agreement protects Antarctic space in a hierarchical manner while simultaneously defining the conditions for its governance and management. In doing so, it reveals a blurred boundary between environmental conser
Krill fishing in the Southern Ocean is tightly managed, but new research shows that bycatch and local fishing pressure remain important concerns. Krill fishery and dependent wildlife in the Southern Ocean (Illustration: Léa Zinsli)Antarctic krill supports not only a unique marine ecosystem but also
