This past week we spoke with Mead Treadwell, former Lieutenant Governor of Alaska and former chairman of the US Arctic Research Commission from 2001 to 2006, and Jackie Dawson, Canada’s Research Chair in Environmental Change and Arctic Shipping at the University of Ottawa.

Both are prominent figures in Arctic research and policy. Despite their different backgrounds, Treadwell and Dawson share a common passion: advocating for an Arctic strategy that truly taps into the immense opportunities this region offers for Canada. With their extensive expertise and unique perspectives, they stand out as leading voices in the crucial conversations surrounding Arctic maritime defense and security.

Navigating the Complex Waters of Maritime Governance

Our discussion began with delving into the intricate and often challenging issues of maritime governance in the North American Arctic. They shed light on the complicated intersection of international law and the domestic regulatory landscape in this fragile and strategically vital region. As the conversation unfolded, the critical role of maritime infrastructure and supporting infrastructure such as icebreakers and reliable ship services became clear; these are not just tools but lifelines, ensuring that shipping activities remain safe and dependable in the ice-covered waters of the Arctic.

The discussion then moved into a broader conversation about the importance of harmonized regulations and enhanced cooperation among the Arctic states. Through collaboration, a secure Arctic maritime domain is possible making Arctic shipping not only feasible, but also safe and sustainable. Without such collaboration, navigating Arctic waters – both literally and legally – can only exacerbate existing challenges.

Declining Ice-Strengthened Vessels, Rising Risks, and The Arctic Corridors Project

The conversation then shifted to the environmental impact of increased shipping activities in the Arctic. While Mead noted that we have much better ice detection technologies today than twenty years ago, the resources to address these challenges are coming slowly. Jackie noted that 5% of ship traffic today does not comply with IMO regulations. Both agreed that greater investments are necessary to create improved technologies and enhanced mechanisms for ensuring regulatory compliance.

From there, we moved into a discussion about Jackie’s Arctic Corridors research project, a fascinating collaboration with Inuit communities focused on safeguarding vulnerable marine areas by establishing safe shipping corridors. Rooted in the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA), this initiative highlights the need to consider not only ecologically and biologically significant regions but also culturally vital marine areas in the Canadian Arctic. Given that Inuit hold legal and moral stewardship over approximately 40% of Canada’s landmass, their involvement in governing these spaces is crucial. The project, which began in 2014 and continues today, has been mapping culturally significant marine areas in the Canadian Arctic and is now expanding to Alaska and Greenland. Pinpointing these areas is crucial for charting the ideal paths for shipping corridors, paving the way for low-impact routes that protect the environment. Yet, what truly sets this project apart is its commitment to transitioning leadership to Inuit organizations, marking a bold move toward more inclusive, community-led stewardship. This strategy not only empowers local communities (and who know the region best) but also the mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of the Arctic’s ecosystems.

Building a Reliable Arctic: The SEAL Act, Icebreakers, and International Collaboration

From there, the conversation moved over to what is happening in Alaska. Mead explained the U.S. SEAL Act, first proposed by Alaska Senator, Lisa Murkowski. It is one thing to talk about safe, secure, and reliable Arctic shipping, yet it is the crucial ‘reliable’ piece that is needed to ensure safe and secure shipping. Reliable shipping is only possible with investments in the required technologies and infrastructure such as navigation aids, ports of refuge, and response vessels.

Enter the SEAL Act, which proposed the creation of an Arctic Seaway Development Corporation (U.S. registered corporation). Think of it as a next-level collaboration, inspired by the St. Lawrence Seaway Agreement between the US and Canada. That cooperation jointly manages and regulates shipping through the St. Lawrence Seaway. Similarly, the idea behind the Arctic Seaway concept is to bring together Arctic-capable nations under one big, reliable shipping umbrella. It could even entail a tariff system (similar to the system Russia uses for the Northern Sea Route) to help generate revenue for ongoing seaway management. The US bill was passed in 2019, paving the way for a more seamless and secure Arctic shipping system.

Mead also underscored the vital importance of broader international cooperation, including with countries such as Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, and European nations in order to ensure that Arctic shipping can be safe and reliable. Without international collaboration, the challenges of navigating such a harsh environment could become insurmountable.

Jackie Dawson added her voice to the discussion, praising the recent agreement between Finland, Canada, and the United States to build new icebreakers, calling it a major leap forward for Arctic security by addressing the region’s maritime needs. Beyond more ships, both also discussed the need for a more strategic use of icebreakers. Mead discussed concepts being proposed such as the sharing of icebreakers dubbed as “uber for icebreakers.” Jackie compared the role of icebreaking services to that of tow trucks on a busy highway. They are essential for clearing the path and keeping everything moving safely and efficiently. The analogy highlights just how crucial icebreakers are in ensuring the Arctic’s icy waters remain navigable and secure.

Enhancing Arctic Coordination, Research, and Monitoring

The conversation then circled back to the repeated theme of cooperation. Here the focus was on the importance of research and data and how improving Arctic operations hinges on better coordination of both. Jackie emphasized the critical need to understand and accurately forecast wind patterns in the region. These patterns are not just about weather – they play a crucial role in managing ice movements and ensuring that shipping routes remain safe and navigable. However, current maritime research and data collection efforts are often fragmented, making it difficult to fully address the unique challenges of Arctic navigation.

Mead acknowledged the advancements in fields like geomatics and telecommunications, which are essential for Arctic operations. Despite these advancements, securing long-term funding for essential observation programs remains a significant challenge. This led to a clear takeaway: to effectively manage the vast amount of available yet fragmented data and tackle the challenges of Arctic navigation, greater investments are required in order to ensure that data is not only collected, but also put to meaningful use in improving Arctic operations.

In addition to logistical concerns, the discussion highlighted the importance of still needed baseline studies, monitoring, and developing better forecasting tools. The consensus among the participants was that collaboration between government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector is essential to achieving these objectives. Establishing national Arctic monitoring systems and promoting the sharing of scientific data both domestically and regionally are essential steps toward a better understanding of the region and enable the development of effective strategies that will ensure the protection, safety, and security of the North American Arctic maritime region.

Looking Forward: Empowering Youth and Strengthening Cooperation

Jackie discussed her work with the community of Pond Inlet, which provided a powerful example of the impact of blending traditional Inuit knowledge with modern science in Arctic research. The approach not only increases the level of knowledge acquired through research, but it further makes research results relevant and accountable to the everyday needs and realities of Arctic communities themselves. The conversation also made clear that the ongoing success of these efforts requires increased and year over funding. This includes the need for sufficient funding to not only ensure but further increase the active participation of Indigenous youth in addition to community elders who are critical in being able to meet the Arctic’s rapidly evolving challenges.

The Key to Success: Strengthening Cooperation Among Government, the Private Sector, and Research

Our conversation wrapped up with a powerful message: greater cooperation between governments, the private sector, and the scientific community is essential to ensure that Arctic shipping is both safe and sustainable. In Canada, Jackie further called on the federal government to once again appoint an Arctic ambassador. She also argued that fostering bipartisan cooperation is a crucial strategy for pushing these initiatives forward. In all, by committing resources, focusing more on youth empowerment, and strengthening collaboration across different sectors and the Arctic region, the complexities of the Arctic can be addressed, making a future that is safe, secure, sustainable, and prosperous possible.