Arctic Command leads the world's northernmost coastguard cooperation

By the Danish Defence

The Arctic is known for its unique environmental and weather conditions, which place significant demands on safety and security across the region. This is why the Arctic nations' coastguard services have developed close and long-standing operational cooperation.

At the end of July, Nuuk welcomed the Norwegian coastguard vessel NoCGV Hopen. The vessel was visiting a number of members of the Arctic Coast Guard Forum and called at Greenland as part of the tour, including to strengthen cooperation with Joint Arctic Command and local partners.

To ensure safe passage through Greenlandic waters, Norway asked the Danish Defence to provide an experienced naval officer who, drawing on several years of military experience operating in the Arctic, could support the coastguard vessel.

The visit to Nuuk also provided an opportunity to strengthen relations with a number of local partners, including the Greenland Police, the Greenland Fisheries and Hunting Control Authority and Joint Arctic Command. The visit also provided an opportunity to conduct a number of joint training activities with the Danish Defence inspection vessel Ejnar Mikkelsen.

Since 2015, the eight nations – including the Kingdom of Denmark, Norway, the United States and Canada – have worked together through the Arctic Coast Guard Forum (ACGF) to promote maritime safety and security in some of the world's most challenging waters. The chairmanship rotates among the members, and in spring 2025 Joint Arctic Command assumed the chair.

An operational forum

Although the Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans, it covers an area of more than 12 million square kilometres. Its vast distances and challenging geography mean that no national coastguard can cover the region alone. The eight nations have therefore chosen to work together to address the wide range of challenges that arise at sea.

Each year, the members cooperate on everything from responding to oil spills and assisting cruise ships suffering engine failures to helping fishing vessels in distress. With the vast distances involved in the Arctic, where hundreds or even thousands of kilometres can separate those in need from assistance, effective cooperation on maritime emergency response is both necessary and essential.

The Arctic Coast Guard Forum is not a military alliance. It is a practical, operational partnership in which members share experience, develop procedures and train together, with the common goal of maintaining a safe, secure and environmentally responsible Arctic.

NoCGV Hopen. Photo: Joint Arctic Command

Arctic Command's coastguard role in Greenland

Within the Kingdom of Denmark, Arctic Command is responsible for coastguard duties around Greenland. These tasks range from asserting sovereignty and conducting search and rescue operations to fisheries inspections and environmental response.

Many of these tasks are carried out in extreme weather conditions and across vast distances, where assistance may be several days away. Cooperation between members of the Arctic Coast Guard Forum therefore provides an important opportunity to develop the relationships and procedures that could prove critical when a real incident occurs.

Deputy Commander of Joint Arctic Command Lars Nielsen with the Norwegian guests during the traditional presentation of shields. Photo: Joint Arctic Command

The Kingdom of Denmark took over the chairmanship from Norway in spring 2025. During the Kingdom's chairmanship, efforts have focused on the particular challenges associated with operations in ice-covered waters and an Arctic region undergoing rapid change.

Climate change, increased maritime traffic and longer sailing seasons are changing the operational environment and creating new demands on safety, cooperation and emergency preparedness.

And, as with any emergency response capability that needs to function effectively, strong relationships are essential. There is no time to learn from one another once an incident has already occurred. Cooperation and mutual understanding therefore need to be established in advance, which is why joint exercises are a central element of the Arctic Coast Guard Forum.