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

Amfibiekrigsskipet Lyme Bay

New Training Center for the Norwegian Armed Forces and Allies in Northern Norway

Sørreisa in Troms County in northern Norway will house an allied amphibious war center. This is a training facility where landing forces from the sea are practiced in close cooperation between land, sea, and air defense. Norwegian and allied forces will train together here in Arctic conditions.

Arne O. Holm says

Arne O. Holm

I Am on the Border Between Norway and Russia – Searching for Hope

Comment (Skogfoss, Eastern Finnmark): This winter, I have once again traveled through border areas in international media's absolute margins. I am currently on the literal border with Russia. One step further would be one step too far. The border is here.

Daglig leder Størker Bjørnstad i Nye Sulitjelma Gruver

Canadian Company to Acquire Ownership in Two North Norwegian Mining Companies

Blue Moon Metals acquires all the shares in the Northern Norwegian mining companies Nye Sulitjelma Gruver and Nussir. "This is big news," says general manager Størker Bjørnstad of Nye Sulitjelma Gruver to HNN.

Notices

BUSINESS / 29.11.2024

New International Airport Opened in Nuuk

On Thursday, the first transatlantic flight landed at the new…

Access restored to Grindavik

Yesterday, access to the town of Grindavik in Iceland was increased. The…

Canadian government apologizes for dog slaughter and offers compensation

On Saturday, the Canadian government delivered a formal apology to the…

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…

Norge og Russland har siden 1970-tallet samhandlet om forvaltningen av felles fiskebestander i Barentshavet, som verdens største torskebestand – den nordøstarktiske torsken. Bestanden er imidlertid i tilbakegang, og nå er det norsk-russisk enighet om å fiske mindre av den til neste år. (Foto: Kjartan Mæstad/Havforskningsinstituttet)

The Faroe Island and Russia Reached a Fisheries Agreement for 2025

After digital negotiations, the Faroe Islands and Russia have now set next year's fishing quotas for Faroese waters and the Russian part of the Barents Sea. Both countries will have partly reduced and partly unchanged quotas.

Signerer ny intensjonsavtale som skal forenkle forflytning av militære styrker: (f.v.) Danmarks forsvarsminister Troels Lund Poulsen, Finlands forsvarsminister Antti Häkkänen, Martin Eyjólfsson, ekspedisjonssjef i Islands utenriksministerium, Norges forsvarsminister Bjørn Arild Gram og Sveriges forsvarsminister Pål Jonson. (Foto: Det danske forsvarsministeriet)

Nordic Defense Cooperation is Becoming Even More Tangible

The Nordic Ministers of Defense will strengthen operational cooperation, enhance military mobility, and initiate drone collaboration. "These measures concretize the Nordic countries' efforts to be able to carry out joint military operations if deterrence fails," says professor.

LKABs underjordsgruver

Swedish LKAB Postpones Fossil-Free Sponge Iron Production in Arctic Kiruna

The Swedish state-owned mining company LKAB has decided to slow the transition to fossil-free sponge iron production in the Northern Swedish town of Kiruna. The new plan will reduce the company's enormous electricity needs.

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…

F.v: Svein Øien Eggesvik (Sp), fylkesrådsleder i Nordland; Hans-Jacob Bønå (H), fylkesordfører i Finnmark og Kristina Torbergsen (Ap), fylkesordfører i Troms. (Foto: Thor-Wiggo Skille/Nordland fylkeskommune; Karoline Sørensen Brandtzæg/Finnmark fylkeskommune; Victor Omma/Troms fylkeskommune)

Norwegian Regional Leaders: Seeks New Solution for Northern Nordic Cooperation

Finland is leaving the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, which also impacts the Barents Regional Council. A new form of cooperation that encompasses both regional and national levels should be created across the Cap of the North, believes the regional political leaders in Northern Norway.

Maria Varteressian, Arctic Circle 2024.

Norway to Consider the Future of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council as Finland Withdraws

Finland recently announced its withdrawal from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council after 2025. "From the Norwegian side, we will assess the path forward for the council together with the remaining members," says State Secretary Maria Varteressian in Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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.

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.

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.