An Icelandic Perspective: Opening the Arctic Ocean

• Published in: The Yearbook of Polar Law Online
• Main Author: Baldursson, Ragnar
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Brill 2020
• Subjects: Arctic; Arctic Ocean; Arctic Council; Climate change; Sea ice; Yearbook of Polar Law
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/22116427_011010008; https://brill.com/view/journals/yplo/11/1/article-p121_8.xml; https://brill.com/downloadpdf/journals/yplo/11/1/article-p121_8.xml

This essay provides an Icelandic perspective on the opening of the Arctic Ocean. It provides an overview of the historic evolution of Arctic shipping divided into three distinct stages: The initial stage was driven by search for alternative shipping routes during the expansionist era of modern Europe. The Soviet stage was driven by Soviet strategic interests during the Cold War. The contemporary stage is driven by new technologies, resource development in the Arctic and tourism. A second section focuses on Iceland’s reaction to climate change linking it to Iceland’s role in the Arctic Council, and the need for action and adaptation. The final section connects the two first sections and highlights Iceland’s potential role in future trans-Arctic shipping. It heralds the beginning of the fourth stage of the evolution of Arctic shipping with the imminent opening of the Arctic Ocean for intercontinental shipping, This stage will be driven by the need for increased connectivity in a globalized economy, decreasing sea ice, capacity constraints of current shipping routes and security concerns