Helsingborg, 1 July 2026

Preparations for the Canada–Sweden Arctic Ocean 2026 expedition are now underway in the Port of Helsingborg. The icebreaker Oden is being prepared for this summer's research mission, with scientific instruments being installed and the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat's winches, laboratories and other expedition equipment being made ready for departure.

Between 10 August and 20 September 2026, Oden will undertake a joint expedition with the Canadian icebreaker CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent. The expedition is led by the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Canada and aims to map the seabed in the central Arctic Ocean as part of work under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). At the same time, research will be carried out in areas including marine geology, geophysical mapping, meteorology, sea ice, oceanography and marine ecosystems. The expedition brings together researchers from Sweden, Canada, Denmark and Greenland. Inuit observers with expertise in marine mammals will also be on board the Canadian vessel.

The expedition also includes an Early Career Scientist Programme, where PhD students and early career researchers combine lectures with hands-on fieldwork and data collection alongside experienced scientists.

This year's expedition also includes author Andreas Norman, participating through the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat's Artist Programme, and teacher Henrik Swärd, participating through the Teacher Programme. Both programmes aim to build new connections between research, culture and education.