Greenland’s coastal waters mapped using satellite data

As part of a new pilot project, the Danish Geodata Agency has charted 22,000km² of Greenland’s coastal waters, focusing on areas near Nuuk-Maniitsoq, Tasiilaq and Ittoqqortoormiit. The data is now available to the public through the NunaGIS portal. The pilot project focuses on testing technology and identifying user needs, with the ultimate goal of enhancing navigation safety, rescue capabilities and maritime infrastructure in Greenland. Results will be presented this September at meetings in Nuuk and Tasiilaq.

The background for the pilot project, which began in 2023, is the increasing vessel traffic in the Arctic. Many coastal areas in Greenland have so far remained unmapped, creating challenges for safe navigation. The project has demonstrated that satellite technology now makes it possible to identify tidal zones, delineate coastlines more precisely and highlight high-risk areas.

Shallow waters and skerries

Close collaboration has been established with Asiaq, with the purpose of making the data freely accessible both via NunaGIS – the platform that provides public, private and governmental access to maps and geospatial data across Greenland – and the Danish Geodata Agency’s website.

“At Asiaq, we are very pleased with the collaboration with the Danish Geodata Agency and that, through NunaGIS, we can help make the new data easily accessible in Greenland. Knowledge of shallow waters and skerries is vital for safe navigation, and given the great distances in this country it is important to explore and utilize the opportunities that satellite technology offers. This project is an excellent example of that,” Mette Skarregaard Pedersen, director of Asiaq, stated.

Critical gaps

The mapping offers new tools for local mariners, operators and authorities, supporting voyage planning, SAR and maritime infrastructure. While not for navigational use, the pilot data fills critical gaps where information has been scarce or outdated. The Danish Geodata Agency is also exploring cooperation with commercial partners such as Garmin and Navionics to bring the data into everyday systems. In the long run, the project aims to help shape international standards for satellite-based nearshore mapping in the Arctic.

“With this pilot project, we are taking an important step towards improving navigational safety in Greenland’s coastal waters. The mapping provides local users with access to data that has not been available before and at the same time establishes a solid foundation for future work,” Christian Thellufsen, senior advisor at the Danish Geodata Agency, commented.

The pilot project results mark an important step towards new approaches in coastal mapping and set the stage for stronger collaboration with local and international partners to drive safer navigation in the years ahead.