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In the ‘High North’ of Norway, in a town called Kirkenes, set on the coast, and inside the Arctic Circle, Anna Holligan is on the edge of what the Chinese refer to as the Polar Silk Road. The Northern Sea Route or North East Passage is an increasingly valuable shipping route for both Russia and China, heading east from this region, hugging the Russian coastline to Eastern Siberia. 

On the Barrents Safari with guide Hans Hatle, Anna discovers how the Polar Silk Road could potentially change the fortunes for this most northerly Norwegian town. Port Director Terje Jørgensen wants to open up to Chinese shipping and is in talks with operators to increase the capabilities of the port. Terje’s point is simple, Kirkenes is geographically closer to Beijing via sea, than any other port in Europe.

In 2010 a ship departed from Kirkenes bound for China with 41,500 tons of iron ore concentrate, arriving 22 days later. Via the Suez canal, the same journey would have taken over 40 days. It was the first time that a non-Russian ship had been along the Northern Sea Route along Russia’s Northern coastline, showing that this was possible and paving the way for China’s Arctic policy. 

Here, Anna shines a light on China’s wider ambitions in the Arctic. The region is rich in minerals, wildlife, fish, and other natural resources. So what does China’s Polar Silk Road mean for Norway and when the sea ice melts, who is set to benefit most?

Presenter: Anna Holligan
Producer: Peter Shevlin
Editor: Alan Hall
A C60 Media production for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service.

(Photo: A man holds giant crabs or king crabs in each hand, in the Barents sea, Kirkenes, Norway. Credit: Eric Beracassat/Getty Images)