Navigating logistics for EastGRIP's ice core project in East Greenland

Case

I appreciated that Blue Water got to know us and our special operation that involves a lot of stress at the end of the season. 

Marie Kirk, Logistics Coordinator at University of Copenhagen

Photo credit: East Greenland Ice-core Project www.eastgrip.org

The East Greenland Ice-Core Project – EastGRIP – is a scientific project that retrieved an ice core from the ice stream in Northeast Greenland, which is now being analysed and further tests are made in the borehole. For the field season, the team returns to their camp in a remote area of northeast Greenland every year. The project is not only scientifically, but also logistically complex, as it requires detailed planning and knowledge of logistics to and from Greenland to get the fieldwork in place. 

Over the years, the team has collaborated with Blue Water Greenland for the transportation of essential items, ranging from snow scooters to large drilling components to drill 2700 meters into the ice. The logistics team in Nuuk, Greenland, has the local knowledge to handle the unique challenges of transporting cargo in the Artic country. With a dedicated point of contact on the project, Blue Water Nuuk finds a solution to any logistic challenge the EastGRIP team might have. 

Greenland to Canada 

As last year's field season was wrapping up in August, the University of Copenhagen, which oversees the project, needed to reroute equipment not back to Copenhagen, but to a partner in Manitoba, Canada. The equipment was crucial for a similar project and was needed in Canada shortly after its use in Greenland. 

Everything was packed on pallets for an Air Force air charter, arranged by the university, but it fell through due to timing constraints, Marie Kirk, Logistics Coordinator at University of Copenhagen, reached out to her usual Blue Water contact to explore a new alternative solution for the transport. Together with the team in Nuuk they decided on a sea freight solution, although it was slower than air freight - yet the more cost-effective solution would still meet the EastGRIP schedule. 

"Blue Water was supportive in exploring all possible options with us, fully detailing the advantages and disadvantages of each, along with their respective timelines for us to time it with our partner in Canada," Marie Kirk explained. 

Logistics in Greenland is different, and at Blue Water Greenland - in this case the team in Nuuk – it is all about listening to the customer's needs and being as flexible as possible to find a solution that fits the conditions. "We always look at all options and with our experience and knowledge of local conditions, such as when the ice calves, we can give the best advice to ensure a smooth transport with no surprises along the way,” says Gabriella Sonnichsen of the North Atlantic team.  

Final call container shipment 

With the shipping season nearing its end around fall, and with only a few departures remaining before the ice closed routes, Blue Water Nuuk successfully secured two 20-foot cargo containers on the final call from Kangerlussuaq to Canada via Nuuk/Iceland. Adjustments to cargo certificates were swiftly handled by Blue Water to ensure compliance for the shipment. 

The EastGRIP team used the one point of contact option, which ensured that there was one local contact from the Blue Water Nuuk team who knew their case inside out and was available for questions and updates.  

Marie Kirk expressed her appreciation for Blue Water's understanding of their operations and the end-of-season stress: "I really appreciated that Blue Water got to know us and our special operation that involves a lot of stress at the end of the season. The last thing I want to do is fill in complicated paperwork, customs documents and booking containers at this time, but the local team are always very supportive and helpful and make sure it's done the right way. I know I can always contact them." 

With all equipment safely loaded on the container in Kangerlussuaq, the university reached out to Blue Water with a last-minute request to get additional goods in the container in Nuuk. Even though initial doubts if this was possible, the Blue Water Nuuk warehouse team managed to fit everything in the containers, with much relief of the EastGRIP team.  

The equipment arrived safely and on time in Canada, marking a successful end to another field season for EastGRIP in Northeast Greenland. 

About EastGRIP

The East Greenland Ice-Core Project – EastGRIP – is a scientific project that retrieved an ice core from the ice stream in Northeast Greenland, which is now being analysed and further tests are made in the borehole.