Japan, US and South Korea line up Arctic shipping pact
Japan, the US and South Korea are preparing to sign a memorandum covering maritime cooperation and energy supply in the Arctic. The draft would establish a trilateral working framework focused on Arctic maritime use, energy resources and economic security. South Korea completed its first containership voyage through the Northern Sea Route this month.
Why it matters: This matters for the Arctic shipping theme because the trilateral pact formalises state involvement as Arctic routes move from concept to commercial experimentation.