⛴️ The Swedish icebreaker Oden has returned to Svalbard after a six-week Arctic expedition, bringing back valuable seabed survey data in support of the Polar Connect initiative. Departing on 9 August and returning on 19 September, Oden carried out extensive seabed surveys in the Arctic Ocean, focusing on the Lomonosov Ridge and two key gaps of the Gakkel Ridge.
The new survey data significantly improves understanding of the seabed in this critical part of the Arctic Ocean, along potential routes for a trans-Arctic subsea cable.
These findings will enable the Polar Connect project to refine its route simulations, assess adjustments based on terrain
and identify new challenges.
The results will also serve as essential input for the planned mapping mission in 2026.
The expedition was organized by the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat and co-funded by the European Commission through the Polar Connect Step 1 project. Later in September, Oden and her crew will return to their home port in Helsingborg, Sweden.
Photo credit: Cristina Bernárdez
