The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of 26 June, 2023
China Starts Construction on Third Icebreaker
As reported by South China Morning Post on June 27, China has begun construction on its third icebreaker. This new vessel, distinctively equipped for deep-sea scientific research missions, is anticipated to be operational by 2025. It will host both manned and unmanned submersibles, enabling China to become the second country, after Russia, to send scientists to the Arctic sea floor. The icebreaker is expected to spend four months each year in the polar regions providing samples and environmental data, as well as testing underwater technology and equipment. (South China Morning Post)
Take 1: China’s third icebreaker is a remarkable milestone in its icebreaking program. Upon completion, the vessel, equipped with submersibles capable of manned deep-diving activities, promises to contribute significantly to polar research.With Russia currently being the only country with such capabilities, the new icebreaker would expand access and enable more scientific investigations in fields including deep-sea biology, biogeochemistry, and seafloor geology. These are especially useful as Arctic deep-sea studies have grown increasingly important to understanding climate change in the region. Deep-sea communities and habitats have vital roles in the carbon cycle by sequestering carbon in the ocean. For instance, a 2022 study discovered a flow in the Arctic Ocean that transports carbon-rich material from the surface to the deep sea, storing up to 3.6 million tons of carbon dioxide each year. This process, known as the biological carbon pump, serves as an important carbon sink by removing carbon from the atmosphere for extended periods of time. As global warming continues to intensify, understanding the amount of carbon absorbed by the ecosystem is a critical research priority, especially in the Arctic where polar sea shelves and the deep sea are poorly explored. China’s new icebreaker could help fill this gap, and as the country continues to expand its presence in the Arctic, it should also work to strengthen its international scientific cooperation to enhance global research. (British Antarctic Survey, NASA, Oregon State University, Polar Journal)
Ice Severs Undersea Cable in Alaska
As reported by The Verge on June 23, internet and cellular connectivity in communities across Northern Alaska was disrupted after ice damaged a 1,200-mile subsea fiber optic cable in the Arctic Ocean. The Alaskan broadband company Quintillion announced that it is working to send a maintenance vessel to the area, but repairs may take six to eight weeks. The company also stated that it is partnering with satellite firms, like OneWeb and Starlink, to restore service temporarily as the underwater cable is under repair. (The Verge)
Take 2: Subsea fiber optic cables are critical components of modern infrastructure. Serving as vital connections to the internet, these cables transmit large amounts of global data, enable communication, and facilitate financial activity. Due to their importance, damage to these cables can cause severe disruptions to communities, as seen in Northern Alaska where the recent outage has negatively impacted emergency services, credit card transactions, and businesses. Moreover, underwater cables are particularly vulnerable in the Arctic. The harsh conditions and remoteness of the region not only increase the dangers to these physical infrastructures but can also make maintenance and repairs more difficult, extending disruptions. Given these challenges, satellites and other space-based systems may appear to be the solution to broadband access issues in the region. However, satellite communication in the Arctic is also prone to interruptions and fiber optic connectivity remains significantly faster, more reliable, and provides stronger coverage. Nevertheless, with internet connectivity so essential, the disruption to the subsea cable in Alaska illustrates the importance of alternative lines of communication. Like Northern Alaska, settlements across the Arctic face similar vulnerabilities due to limited internet options, lack of infrastructure, and coverage gaps. This incident should compel Arctic communities to develop resilience and invest in diverse solutions, leveraging g fiber optic cables, satellites, and other systems. (European Space Agency, Over the Circle, Wall Street Journal)
Canadian Senate Releases Report on Canada’s Arctic Defense
As reported by CBC News on June 28, the Canadian Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs released its report after a fact-finding mission on the state of Canada’s Arctic defense. The committee raised concerns about the lack of Indigenous involvement in security policy and about equipment nearing the end of its service life, which could result in a defense capability gap. The report recommended that the government outline Canada’s defense strategy during this gap period, strengthen consultations and participation with Indigenous communities, and expand interpretations of “Arctic security” to include social, economic, and environmental matters. (CBC News)
Take 3: The Canadian Senate committee report is the latest in a series of government publications highlighting deficiencies in Canada’s Arctic defense. For instance, in 2022, a similar report by the Auditor General found that Canada’s limited oversight of maritime activities and inadequate surveillance capabilities in the Arctic threatens Canada’s ability to protect its national security and sovereignty. However, in addition to assessing traditional security concerns, the Senate committee report importantly recognizes the multifaceted and interdependent challenges of Arctic security, beyond just military issues. By expanding its view of Arctic security, the report increases the focus on Canada’s Arctic inhabitants, who are mainly affected by other dimensions of Arctic security, including social, economic, and environmental matters. While often less prioritized than military concerns, these issues can also be threats to national security. Therefore, although the expected gap in defense capabilities will likely be one of Canada’s principal security concerns in the Arctic, the government should enhance dialogue with local communities to better understand their security needs and address other Arctic threats, like climate change and permafrost thaw. As emphasized in the committee’s report , Canada will face numerous Arctic defense challenges in the future. While the Arctic is critically important to military defense, it is also essential that Canada continues to take a comprehensive approach to security in the region. (Canadian Dimension, CBC News, National Post)
Northern Latitudinal Railway Delayed: Uncertain Future for Russian Arctic Zone
As reported by The Barents Observer on June 23, the Russian Ministry of Transportation may delay the construction of its Northern Latitudinal Railway project until 2027 or 2031 due to funding concerns. The railway project, intended to span 707 kilometers across several northern Russian regions to boost transportation, aims to promote development in the Russian Arctic Zone. It was initially expected to be financed by the government, Gazprom, Russia Railways, and the Corporation of Development. (The Barents Observer)
Take 4: Russia has long regarded its Arctic Zone as a critical state priority. In its national strategies, the federal government has emphasized the importance of developing the region as a strategic resource base, transforming its Arctic waters along the Northern Sea Route into a major transportation line, and improving the prosperity of its Arctic inhabitants. As a result, Russia has invested heavily in numerous infrastructure and transportation projects aimed at accelerating economic and industrial growth, such as ports, mines, gas fields, and railways. However, recent setbacks raise concerns about the future of Russia’s Arctic development and the commercial viability of its projects. Following the invasion of Ukraine, successive sanctions have reduced the country’s access to financing and critical technology necessary for many ongoing initiatives. Additionally, despite spending trillions of rubles on maritime infrastructure, foreign shipping along the Northern Sea Route remains limited. Although Russia seems to be overcoming some of these obstacles by procuring critical technology from China and seeking new markets for its resources, these challenges have economic consequences and the delay in the Northern Latitudinal Railway calls into question the long-term prospects of Russia’s other development projects. As the conflict in Ukraine persists, it is likely that the Russian state will continue to divert significant resources toward the war, further hindering future Arctic development. (High North News, The Arctic Institute, The Barents Observer)
Canadian International Arctic Centre Moves from Oslo to Ottawa
As reported by National Post on June 27, Global Affairs Canada has announced that the government will close the Canadian International Arctic Centre (CIAC) in Oslo, Norway, by early fall. The government department stated that the decision to move the office to Ottawa would strengthen intergovernmental cooperation and its ability to deliver on its international Arctic mandate. CIAC’s international Arctic engagement and work abroad will continue to be carried out by Canada’s foreign embassies. The CIAC was established in 2009 by Global Affairs Canada as a team dedicated to the Arctic. (National Post)
Take 5: Global climate change has intensified focus on the Arctic in recent years.With the region warming more than four times faster than the rest of the world, the Arctic has become a critical environmental concern. Moreover, as the region and its resources become more accessible due to melting ice, countries have worked to develop their interests in the High North, raising geopolitical tensions. In response to the growing strategic importance and activity in the region, many states are strengthening their foreign engagement in the Arctic by enhancing their physical presence in critical Arctic locations. The US, for example, recently established an Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region and announced the opening of a diplomatic mission in Tromsø, Norway. These actions increase diplomacy in the region, demonstrate a commitment to the Arctic, and enhance the capacity for international collaboration. Notably, diplomatic activity in Norway is especially important as the country begins its chairship of the Arctic Council. Canada’s decision to close the CIAC in Oslo diminishes its presence in Arctic diplomacy, possibly weakening its ability to carry out its foreign policy in the region during a time when effective Arctic cooperation is needed most. As the CIAC is relocated, Global Affairs Canada should bolster its Arctic engagement at its embassy in Norway to ensure its diplomatic involvement in the region remains strong. (BBC, Reuters, University of Washington)