The Greenland Expedition Office has introduced new insurance requirements that may end the 2025 expedition season before it begins. A separate governmental tourism regulation also imposes new rules on the ownership of companies offering tourism in Greenland.
Under the new insurance rules, skiers, climbers and other adventurers operating on the Ice Sheet and remote areas must secure a high level of guaranteed insurance coverage for potential rescues. Each expedition group will now require a policy providing $139,000 for Search and Rescue operations. Additionally, each expedition member must have evacuation transport coverage (e.g. medivac) of either $39,000 or $83,000, depending on the location.
Terms outlining coverage amounts. Image: www.expeditionsgreenland.gl
Expeditions north of 78°, within Northeast Greenland’s National Park, require coverage of $83,000 per person. Expeditions south of 78°, such as west-to-east Ice Sheet crossings, whether inside or outside the park, require a per-person coverage of $39,000.
Northeast Greenland National Park, shaded red. Image: NordNordWest/Creative Commons
Stringent terms
Coverage terms specifying the insured party and reimbursement criteria. Image: www. expeditionsgreenland.gl
The real sticking point in the regulations is that an insurer’s statement or equivalent security must be issued directly to the Danish state or the Government of Greenland. Even more, reimbursement should be issued regardless of why search and rescue or evacuation occurs, including accidents or negligence.
While a written bank guarantee of $28,000 may be accepted to cover evacuation, the regulations limit this to cases involving transport without an emergency, such as requesting relocation to the nearest town.
ExplorersWeb has communicated with several International Polar Guides Association members and an adventurer planning an ice sheet expedition this season (names withheld on request). They say insurance companies that have previously insured ski crossings of the Ice Sheet (e.g. IF P & C Insurance) are not willing to meet these new terms.
A recent email to one adventurer seeking coverage from IF P & C Insurance for an expedition on the Ice Sheet. Names are redacted for privacy.
The only option left for adventurers who cannot secure insurance coverage is a written bank guarantee (not transfer of funds) for the full amount, which includes search and rescue ($139,000), any evacuation transport per person ($39,000), and bank guarantee ($28,000). The SAR and bank guarantee are per group, but the evacuation fee is per person, so a four-person team will have to provide $139,000 + $28,000 + $39,000×4 = $323,000.
With such big sums at stake, it is plausible that teams that do manage to find a lender may be reluctant to call for help in an emergency situation, potentially compromising their own bodily survival in the interest of financial survival.
New Tourism Act
Image: www.nuna-law.com
To add to the difficulties, a new tourism act will require businesses offering commercial tourism such as multi-day expeditions to obtain a license unless their annual income is below $7,000. Licenses are available to outfitters with a registered Greenland address and full tax liability, and to companies domiciled in Greenland. At least two-thirds of the company ownership/partnership must be made up of Greenland residents who are tax liable.
The new tourism act came into effect on January 1, 2025, but existing outfitters have until January 1, 2027, to comply. There will no doubt be a great deal of pressure from the wider tourism industry, especially if the act applies to cruise operators.
If applied, these new regulations could spell the end of many commercial adventure and expedition activities in Greenland.
