AGP Executive Report

Industrial Tech: Century Aluminum’s Grundartangi plant returned near full production after restarting Line 2, helping lift third-quarter shipments and sales. Icelandic Games: Reykjavík-based Fenris Creations confirmed layoffs on its EVE Frontier team, but says the game remains in active development. Ocean Science: The EU’s OceanEye initiative aims to bring marine data services together and develop a digital ocean system, with a digital twin planned by 2030. Circular Fisheries: Iceland Ocean Cluster says fish skins, bones and guts can become higher-value products; its 100% Fish initiative aims to use more of each catch, including turning shrimp shells into chitosan. North Atlantic Management: Pew is urging regional fisheries managers to adopt ecosystem-based rules and address overfishing of herring, blue whiting and mackerel—stocks shared by Iceland and other coastal states. Climate Risk: Icelandic officials have war-gamed a possible collapse of the Atlantic overturning circulation, a major climate risk that most national adaptation plans barely address.

Ocean Data: The EU’s OceanEye initiative aims to bring marine data services together and build a digital twin of the ocean by 2030, supporting Arctic monitoring and research. Icelandic Tech: Reykjavík-based Dohop has launched TravelSure, which helps travel sellers rebook passengers on other carriers after qualifying flight disruptions. Circular Seafood: Iceland Ocean Cluster says fish by-products can become high-value goods, from medical products and cosmetics to chitosan made from shrimp shells. Climate Risk: Icelandic officials have war-gamed a possible collapse of the Atlantic’s major current system; new research warns that most national climate plans barely address the risk.

Research Talent: Iceland now lets foreign graduates of Icelandic doctoral programs renew a specialist residence permit for up to a year while seeking work in their field, without a work permit. Wildlife Trafficking: Ecuadorian authorities seized 32 live Galápagos marine iguanas bound for Iceland; 24 survived and were returned to the islands. Climate Risk: Icelandic officials have war-gamed a major weakening or collapse of the Atlantic overturning circulation. New research finds only two of 91 national climate plans mention the risk, with neither setting out concrete action. Aquaculture Tech: Founder Hermann Kristjánsson has reacquired Icelandic fish-monitoring firm VAKI. It plans to combine its equipment and expertise with Ration’s AI and computer-vision tools to improve fish feeding and cut waste. Digital Work: Visit Iceland’s “AI Knittakers” initiative offers to send knitters to virtual meetings to listen and stitch a one-word summary.

Wildlife Trafficking: Ecuadorian authorities seized 32 live Galápagos marine iguanas bound for Iceland; 24 survived and were returned to the islands. Scientists are urging stronger action against trafficking. Research Ties: Iceland’s foreign minister visited China as the countries discussed cooperation in geothermal energy, the green transition, ocean research and Arctic affairs. Aquaculture Technology: Iceland’s VAKI, known for fish-counting equipment, has been reacquired by its founder and plans to merge with AI-focused Ration to develop tools for fish farmers. Clean Fuels: Syntholene says its northern Iceland demonstration facility has begun producing synthetic aviation fuel from hydrogen and captured carbon, using geothermal energy. Climate Risk: Icelandic officials have war-gamed a possible collapse of the Atlantic overturning circulation, which could sharply alter European winters and disrupt weather far beyond the North Atlantic. Arctic climate reports also warn that overshooting 1.5°C risks lasting damage to ice sheets, glaciers and polar oceans.

Biotech: Oculis reported progress in late-stage eye-disease trials, with patient enrolment complete in its dry-eye study and its optic neuritis programme advancing. Aquaculture Technology: Icelandic fish-monitoring pioneer VAKI has been reacquired by its founder and plans to merge with Ration, combining fish-counting systems with AI and computer vision. Clean Fuels: Syntholene says its demonstration plant in northern Iceland has begun producing synthetic fuel from hydrogen and captured carbon, using renewable power and geothermal heat. Climate Readiness: Icelandic officials have war-gamed a possible collapse of the Atlantic circulation, preparing for severe risks to the country and wider region. Research Links: During Iceland’s foreign minister’s China visit, both sides signalled interest in cooperation on geothermal energy, oceans, Arctic issues and joint scientific research. Workplace Experiment: Visit Iceland is offering knitters to join online meetings and stitch a one-word summary, a playful initiative aimed at meeting fatigue.

Aquaculture Technology: Icelandic founder Hermann Kristjánsson has reacquired VAKI, whose fish-counting technology is used by fish farms. VAKI plans to merge with Ration, combining its expertise with the Icelandic company’s AI and computer-vision tools for feeding control. Synthetic Fuel: Syntholene says its demonstration plant in northern Iceland has begun producing synthetic jet fuel from hydrogen and captured carbon, made using renewable electricity and geothermal heat. The company sees the facility as a step toward commercial production. Climate Preparedness: Icelandic officials have run a scenario exercise on a possible collapse of the Atlantic ocean circulation system, which could disrupt temperatures and rainfall far beyond the North Atlantic. Cancer Research: An Icelandic oncologist highlighted a personalized mRNA vaccine approach for high-risk melanoma, designed from mutations in a patient’s tumor. The treatment is experimental and aims to reduce the risk of cancer returning after surgery.

Cancer Research: An Icelandic oncologist says a personalized mRNA vaccine offers hope of reducing melanoma recurrence after surgery, though it is aimed at a relatively small group of patients. Clean Fuels: Syntholene Energy says its northern Iceland demonstration plant has begun producing synthetic jet fuel from captured carbon and hydrogen, advancing its plans for commercial production. Climate Preparedness: Icelandic officials have war-gamed a possible collapse of the Atlantic ocean circulation, which could bring severe climate disruption to the North Atlantic. Arctic Cooperation: Iceland has joined the advisory board of Alaska’s Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies, giving it a role in shaping regional research and policy. Sustainable Building: A Reykjavík architecture studio’s hempcrete cabin explores locally sourced materials as an alternative to Iceland’s concrete-heavy, import-dependent construction sector. Ice Loss: New international reports warn that more than half of the world’s glaciers could disappear even if warming is limited to 1.5°C.

Polar Connectivity: SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites for its high-inclination network, which serves Iceland and other Arctic communities missed by lower-latitude coverage. Iceland–China Research: The countries’ foreign ministers discussed expanding cooperation in geothermal energy, marine affairs and joint scientific research, alongside wider Arctic ties. Cleaner Shipping: Icelandic startup SideWind has patented a container-based system combining wind turbines and solar panels to generate electricity aboard cargo ships. Low-Carbon Building: Reykjavík studio Lúdika’s hempcrete cabin explores locally grown materials as an alternative to Iceland’s concrete-heavy, import-reliant construction sector. Cryosphere Warning: A new UN report says overshooting 1.5°C could cause lasting damage to snow and ice, including near-total thawing of near-surface permafrost under high-warming scenarios.

Cryosphere Warning: A report by 80 scientists warns that overshooting 1.5°C could cause lasting losses of snow and ice, thaw permafrost and disrupt ocean circulation. It urges rapid emissions cuts and, ultimately, a return to below 1°C of warming. Arctic Alignment: China and Russia plan to expand Arctic shipping, build polar vessels and deepen business ties, sharpening competition in a region central to Iceland’s northern interests. Icelandic Building Innovation: Reykjavík studio Lúdika’s hempcrete cabin tests locally sourced materials as an alternative to imported construction supplies and concrete. Polar Connectivity: SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites for a high-inclination network designed to reach polar communities, including Iceland. Green Tech and Diplomacy: Icelandic startup SideWind is developing container-based wind power for cargo ships, while Iceland and China have discussed cooperation in geothermal energy, marine science and Arctic affairs.

Local Materials: Reykjavík studio Lúdika’s hempcrete cabin tests locally sourced, plant-based construction in a country where most buildings are concrete and materials are largely imported. Polar Connectivity: A SpaceX launch added 27 satellites to a high-inclination Starlink network designed to serve northern communities, including Iceland, Greenland and Scandinavia. Data-Center Cooling: A new explainer weighs the Arctic’s natural-cooling advantages against the challenges of building and operating facilities in remote regions, noting Iceland already hosts data-center operations. Cleaner Shipping: Icelandic startup SideWind has patented a container-based wind-and-solar system designed to generate electricity aboard cargo ships. Research and Energy Ties: China and Iceland discussed expanding cooperation in geothermal energy, marine and Arctic affairs, including joint scientific research.

Data Centers: Iceland’s cold climate can help cut the energy needed to cool data centers, but the Arctic is not an easy fix: power, connectivity and infrastructure matter too. Iceland–China Ties: Foreign ministers discussed expanding cooperation in geothermal energy, the green transition and Arctic affairs, including joint research and training, as the countries mark 55 years of diplomatic relations. Clean Shipping: Icelandic startup SideWind has developed a container-based system combining a wind turbine and solar panels to generate electricity aboard cargo ships; it has secured patent rights across 38 European countries.

Iceland–China Research: In Beijing, the two countries called for closer cooperation on geothermal energy, the green transition, marine and Arctic affairs, including joint research and talent exchanges. Clean Shipping: Icelandic startup SideWind has patented a container-based system combining a wind turbine and solar panels to generate electricity aboard cargo ships, with the aim of cutting emissions without major vessel redesigns.

Iceland–China Cooperation: In Beijing, Iceland’s foreign minister and China’s Wang Yi discussed expanding ties in geothermal energy, the green transition, marine affairs and Arctic issues. They also called for more joint research and scientific exchanges, but announced no specific projects. Icelandic Clean Tech: Startup SideWind is developing a container-based system that combines a wind turbine and solar panels to generate electricity aboard cargo ships. The founders say they have secured patent rights across 38 European countries.

Research and Energy: Iceland and China marked 55 years of diplomatic ties with talks on expanding cooperation in geothermal energy, the green transition, ocean and Arctic affairs, including joint research and training. Climate Science: Iceland has been examining the risk of a major slowdown or collapse of the Atlantic overturning circulation. New research finds only two of 91 national climate adaptation plans mention the risk, and neither sets out concrete action. Clean Shipping: Eimskip’s container ship Dettifoss became the first vessel to test shore power at Denmark’s Port of Aarhus, drawing electricity from shore for nearly 10 hours and avoiding onboard emissions while docked. Workplace Tech: Visit Iceland launched “AI Knittakers,” a campaign offering real Icelandic knitters to sit in on online meetings and give workers a break; the service runs through Nov. 20.

Geothermal and Arctic Cooperation: Iceland and China called for deeper cooperation in geothermal energy, the green transition, ocean affairs and the Arctic during talks marking 55 years of diplomatic relations. The countries also discussed joint research and training. Icelandic Tech: Reykjavík-based Treble Technologies is showcasing new tools to simulate sound conditions and test voice performance in smart glasses, helping engineers develop devices for real-world use. Ocean Risk: Icelandic officials have discussed the possibility of a major weakening or collapse of the Atlantic circulation. New research finds that most national climate plans do not prepare for this risk. Clean Shipping: Eimskip’s Dettifoss drew shore power during trials at Denmark’s Port of Aarhus. The company says it has already used shore power in Iceland, where the technology can cut emissions from ships at berth.

Atlantic Current Risk: Icelandic officials have discussed the possibility of a major slowdown or collapse of the Atlantic overturning circulation. A review of 91 national climate plans found that only two mention the risk, and neither sets out specific preparations. Icelandic Tech: Reykjavík-based Treble Technologies and DSP Concepts will showcase acoustic simulation tools for designing smart-glasses audio on November 5, including synthetic sound data for testing devices in real-world conditions. Cleaner Shipping: Eimskip’s Dettifoss became the first container ship to test shore power at Denmark’s Port of Aarhus, drawing electricity for nearly 10 hours. Eimskip says it already uses shore power in Iceland. Geothermal Ties: Iceland and China marked 55 years of diplomatic relations, with both sides pointing to ongoing cooperation in geothermal energy and the green transition.