Newsletter: Demanding Arctic Logistics

Newsletter for week 8. Norwegian version.

Despite its national significance, it receives little national attention. We have written several articles about how a closed Ofoten Line, or Iron Ore Line, from Kiruna to Narvik causes losses of many billions for the business sector and society (Norwegian only). 

The Armed Forces is also impacted as we near the major military exercise Nordic Response. 

"The Ofoten Line is important to the Armed Forces," says the Norwegian Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen. 

The three Nordic countries, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, have had to transport military equipment via ships and vehicles instead of railway ahead of the exercise.

Yet, the Swedish state-owned iron ore company LKAB, which is dependent on the railway line, had a solid year-end result. The state dividend was SEK 7,6 billion.

Russian statements and threat assessments

Earlier this week, Russia announced it would no longer fund the Arctic Council.

"Not as dramatic as it sounds," writes Jennifer Spence, a researcher with long experience and expertise in Arctic cooperation, in an Op-Ed.

Slightly different is Russian MFA Sergey Lavrov's answer to questions about whether a termination of maritime agreements with Norway in the Barents Sea and with the United States in the Bering Strait is plausible. 

"You have to look at the big picture," says Lavrov, and points out that the agreements are beneficial for Russia.

This week, the Norwegian intelligence and surveillance institutions have presented their threat assessments, including for the High North. The main conclusion is unchanged: Russia does not pose a conventional military threat in the short term.

Tax competition with Switzerland

New initiatives are constantly being taken to attract capital and people to the Arctic. In this Friday's commentary, I write about a new proposal, a local or municipal cut in wealth tax. Bodø municipality will compete with the tax haven Switzerland for the super-rich.

The flight from the North, or the lack of Arctic attraction, is about different groups entirely. It is about a deficit of young people, preferably in the establishment phase, with high education and a will to make a difference in cities and towns where retirement homes are filling up while primary schools are emptied and closed, I write.

Read about this and much more at High North News. 

On behalf of the editorial staff, I wish our readers a great weekend.

Best, Editor Arne O. Holm.