International Arctic drifting ice station to open in April 2017
© RIA Novosti. Ramil Sitdikov

International Arctic drifting ice station to open in April 2017

An international Arctic drifting ice station is to open in April 2017, RIA Novosti reports, quoting project organizer Inge Solheim, a Norwegian explorer. The project is sponsored by the Russian Geographical Society and scientific and public organizations from five countries.

Solheim unveiled the project at the Russian Geographical Society's Moscow headquarters and said the station was scheduled to open in April 2017. He said the project was sponsored by scientific research organizations, companies and private persons from five-six countries. In Russia, the project is supported by polar explorers and the Russian Geographical Society. Partners from Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, Monaco and researchers from Iceland are also involved in the project, he added.

He said the station would operate through the spring of 2018, drifting from the Siberian coast toward Canada and Greenland. Up to 40 people, including scientists and technicians, will work there.

"The Russian Geographical Society will be responsible for the station's logistics and technical support. The project will also probably involve the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, oceanography institutes and other scientists," Alexander Orlov, Head of the Society's Expedition Center, said.