As a nation of navigators, Italy’s presence in the Arctic demonstrates its deep maritime tradition and cultural connection to the sea, even in these distant, frozen waters. By leading the High North mission, Italy is not only contributing to scientific research but also strengthening its strategic role in a region of growing importance. The country’s rich history of exploration and maritime expertise allows it to bridge seemingly distant worlds, linking the Mediterranean with the Arctic through economic, environmental and political interests.
Economically, Italy seeks to capitalise on emerging Arctic shipping routes and its energy companies’ involvement (namely ENI) in Arctic resource exploration. Environmentally, the country is dedicated to studying the effects of climate change in the Arctic and is an active participant in international efforts to preserve biodiversity and combat pollution. Politically, Italy aims to strengthen its role within NATO and the EU by contributing to regional stability, Arctic governance and security initiatives alongside its Arctic allies.
The State of the Italian Navy’s Research Fleet
In May, we provided a preliminary report on the High North mission, a significant naval campaign for Italy and the overall advancement of scientific research in the Arctic. Though it’s been about a month since the end of the mission (the news is not entirely fresh), Nave Alliance returned to Tromsø, the Arctic capital of Norway, after a 22-day journey, successfully completing her mission. The decision to conduct much of this research in Norwegian waters is primarily geographical. The Svalbard archipelago serves as a gateway to the Arctic, making it an ideal interest point for scientific missions like this. Additionally, Norway and Italy are NATO allies, allowing for smooth cooperation, including the use of Norwegian ports for logistical support and the ease of interoperability between naval forces.
Osservatorio Artico was on board for the entire mission, documenting the experience through articles, photographs and interviews. The coverage highlighted life aboard the ship, the challenges faced by the crew and the breathtaking landscapes explored.
As we already mentioned, Nave Alliance is formally a NATO vessel, but, in practice, is exclusively operated by the Italian Navy. And the Italian Navy, in the near future – though, in this context, “near” is relative, as we’re talking no less than three years – will welcome a new naval unit: another hydro-oceanographic ship.
This addition demonstrates the significance Italy, a major maritime nation, places on marine research and study. To further emphasise not only the importance of scientific research but also the polar seas for Italy, the new vessel, which will feature an all-electric propulsion system, will be capable of navigating the freezing temperatures of both the Arctic and Antarctic while maintaining full operational capacity. It may well join the more “senior” Alliance, expanding Italy’s presence in the polar regions even further.
The Successful End of the 8th High North Campaign
But let’s return to the present and to High North 2024. The primary mission of Nave Alliance in this campaign was to carry out a series of measurements – a long process of gathering the most diverse scientific data, now being analysed by the Hydrographic Institute in Genoa. The research gathered during High North missions holds significant value for Italian companies operating in the Arctic, such as ENI, Italy’s national hydrocarbons agency, which is actively involved in resource exploration and exploitation in the region. Also, accurate mapping of these waters is crucial not only for environmental and scientific purposes but also for shipping routes and commercial activities, where safe navigation is essential.
Throughout the more than three weeks of the mission, the crew and scientists on board worked tirelessly, making the most of the conditions they were given. They had to contend with the cold, the constant daylight and the thick layer of ice, which becomes an increasingly serious challenge for vessels venturing beyond certain latitudes.
Talking about “latitude” in this context is particularly interesting. In 2024, Nave Alliance set a new “personal” record, reaching and surpassing 82 degrees North, near the very roof of the world. We’ve mentioned this exhaustively, but we will repeat it once more: this achievement clearly showcases the capabilities of the Italian Navy and its hydrographic institute, able to venture into latitudes where very few vessels in human history have ever dared to go.
However, reaching this milestone isn’t just a matter of merit, so to speak. It’s also due to the fact that the summer ice in the Arctic Ocean is increasingly scarce and, where it remains, it’s thinner, year after year, making areas that were once difficult – or nearly impossible – to navigate, more accessible. This is all a consequence of global warming and the accelerated climate change in the Arctic, something that those of us working in this field have long had to grapple with.
In conclusion, while this 8th High North campaign ended successfully, it did not differ dramatically from previous missions in terms of objectives, which remain focused only on the mapping of the ocean floor and the gathering of scientific data on the ice and water column. The collected data, currently being analysed in Genoa, may hold strategic relevance for military and navigation purposes and perhaps for tourism companies operating in these remote regions, but it is important to keep in mind that the main value of this mission lies in the demonstration of Italy’s presence in the Arctic. The melting ice opens up potential economic opportunities, especially in oil and gas extraction, with ENI already partnering with Norway’s Equinor. Additionally, the retreating ice could facilitate the opening of new shipping routes, such as the Northern Sea Route, which may become more viable once political tensions surrounding Russia ease.
Tommaso Bontempi
Also read the publication:
Following the Eastern Economic Forum—Results for the Arctic
