Naalakkersuisut and Royal Arctic Line: RAL should not have icebreakers

Although the ice-laying will come later in the year compared to earlier times, there are still major challenges with the supply of goods during the winter period, especially in North and East Greenland.

Therefore, Naalakkersuisut should pave the way for Royal Arctic Line A/S (RAL) to acquire icebreakers that also function as supply ships, thus remedying the situation.

This is the opinion of Isak Johannesen, Naleraq, who is a member of Inatsisartut, who via paragraph 37 asks questions to Naalakkersuisut precisely on this subject.

However, Naalakkersuisut will not acquire or build icebreakers to support national freight and supply of goods due to the high acquisition and operating costs of icebreakers.

This is stated by Aqqaluaq B. Egede, Inuit Ataqatigiit, who is Naalakkersuisoq for Social Affairs, Labour Market, Housing, Infrastructure and Outlying Districts.

RAL also does not believe that it is not necessary to use icebreakers for supply of goods in areas that have ice in the winter.

Adapting

It appears from the reply note to Isak Johannensen, who lives in Upernavik, that Naalakkersuisut is continuously investigating the possibility of improving the national supply of goods.

- Royal Arctic Line A/S' sailing plans were last adjusted in October 2025. Here, the supply of goods was specifically adjusted to take into account current customer needs, which is normal practice when Naalakkersuisut approves the shipping company's sailing plans, says Aqqaluaq B. Egede.

Isak Johannesen also wants to get an answer to whether Naalakkersuisut will take advantage of the opportunity to extend the supply period in areas where ice formation has begun at a later time compared to previously.

- Naalakkersuisut is adjusting the national supply of goods following the delay of the winter season. For example, in 2024 and 2025, Royal Arctic Line tried to call at Tasiilaq as late as possible in the year to take advantage of the longer winter periods.

- Naalakkersuisut is also in ongoing dialogue with RAL and the Danish Meteorological Survey (DMI) to organize the national freight supply according to national ice conditions, says Naalakkersuisut for Infrastructure and Infrastructure.

The obstacles to the use of icebreakers, which also function as supply ships, depend, according to Naalakkersuisut, to a large extent on the region in question. For example, North Greenland and East Greenland have very different ice conditions in winter, says Aqqaluaq B. Egede.

Significant risk

The Greenland Government is also learning that the extent of ice varies significantly from year to year in certain areas, and that the extent of ice on the open sea can change rapidly.

However, RAL's current fleet cannot sail in risky waters, he states.

- If RAL plans to call at times when there is great uncertainty about the extent of ice, this will entail a significant risk of damage to the ship and its crew.

- Furthermore, RAL cannot guarantee that its ships will be able to call at ice-filled areas during the winter months, even if the areas are periodically ice-free, says Aqqaluaq B. Egede.

He also states that the ships carry limited supplies, as there is uncertainty about whether the ships can call at the ports. And when this is the case, the entire operation will not be profitable, Naalakkersuisoq states.

Safe departures

It is important for Naalakkersuisut and RAL to ensure that the voyage is safe for both ship and crew. According to RAL, the voyage must be planned well in advance before the ship can carry cargo.

- Pilersuisoq plans the shipment of cargo according to the sailing plan and prefers to send cargo forward with safe departures, rather than departures that may not come to fruition.

- The current system of sailing plans for a year ahead makes it possible to plan the transport of cargo so that there are supplies for the entire period.

- In our country, it is possible to transport cargo by ship when it is ice-free and to operate cargo by plane and helicopter when there is ice, states Aqqaluaq B. Egede.

It is not possible for the Greenlandic Government to explain the economic consequences of acquiring an icebreaker, says the Greenlandic Government.

Too expensive

Niels Clemensen, CEO of RAL, says that the shipping company has no plans to acquire an icebreaker that also functions as a supply ship. He also points out that the owners, which are Greenlandic Government, have not asked RAL to change the current concept.

- If the owners want us to build an icebreaker, we will build it. But the costs for it will be reflected in the future. Technically, it is quite possible. But it is a question of price.

- It will be much more expensive to operate compared to the ships we have now. But our ships are also built to sail in waters with ice, he says.

He says that there are several factors that need to be identified before deciding to acquire an icebreaker.

Topic for debate

Isak Johannesen says that he will bring the response from Naalakkersuisut to debate in Naleraq's group in Inatsisartut in connection with the spring meeting of Inatsisartut.

He says that the topic should be put on the agenda in Inatsisartut during the year. He believes that based on this, an investigation should be initiated into the possibilities of acquiring an icebreaker that functions as a supply ship.