Japan, the US and South Korea are preparing to sign a memorandum covering maritime cooperation and energy supply in the Arctic, adding a new geopolitical layer to the accelerating commercialisation of northern shipping routes.
Foreign ministers Toshimitsu Motegi, Marco Rubio and Cho Hyun are expected to sign the agreement in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The draft would establish a trilateral working framework focused on Arctic maritime use, energy resources and economic security. Cooperation could extend to shipping routes, icebreaker technology, marine observation and oil and gas transportation.
The move comes as Arctic shipping shifts rapidly from long-term concept to commercial experimentation.
South Korea completed its first containership voyage through the Northern Sea Route this month, with the 2,758 teu PanStar Acro reaching northern Europe after a 21-day passage from Busan. Seoul has also launched an KRW120bn ($87m) annual financing programme for ice-class vessels and icebreakers.
China has meanwhile stepped up seasonal Arctic container sailings, while Russia continues developing the Northern Sea Route and associated ports and resource projects.
