In terms of responsibility for obtaining permits, it is determined by the expedition, i.e. the travel/activity: What activities will the expedition members carry out, and what does that require in terms of permits, conditions, etc. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide full information and apply for any additional permits based on planned activities.

The expedition permit holder (Expedition Leader) is responsible for all activities carried out during that expedition (flights, fueling, etc.), regardless of who carries them out. Furthermore, it is the expedition permit holder who is responsible for fulfilling the environmental conditions and requirements set as conditions in permits, as well as being responsible for any consequences of the expedition's activities, including e.g. any pollution that may occur in connection with the expedition.

Example 1: If a scientific expedition lays out a fuel depot specifically for its project's activities, it is responsible for that depot and any associated activities in this regard (flights, fuel handling, area allotment, etc.). The expedition permit holder can acquire logistical support from an external provider, but it is the holder of the expedition permit who is responsible for ensuring that all permits are in order, covering all activities involved, also with regard to the external partner's travel and activity during that project.

Example 2: A logistics provider offers services, such as laying out fuel depots, that are not directly connected to one specific project in advance, e.g. with a view to potentially servicing several expeditions/projects during the season. Various other (research) projects/expeditions may end up using these services, but this is not necessarily identified or defined at the time when permits are applied for. The logistics provider's deployment of depots or performance of other services (such as flights) as an activity will, as a whole, constitute an expedition in itself. In such cases, the logistics company is responsible for all permits for the activities carried out by the logistics company and is thus also responsible for obtaining the necessary permits, including an expedition permit. The logistics provider is also responsible for meeting the environmental conditions and requirements set as conditions in permits.

Regarding example no. 2: Please note that cf. Section 5 of the Executive Order on Travel, activities regulated under the Mineral Resources Act are exempt, and specific and targeted services for mineral resource activities are not regulated as described above. However, it does not exclude all activities or services carried out by the logistics provider, only those activities which are specifically carried out as part of a mineral project. Other activities carried out by the logistics provider still require permits, such as expedition permits, National Park permits, flight permits, area allotments, etc.

Please also see Mineral Resources Authority - Naalakkersuisut | Greenland, or reach out to the Expedition Office or mlsa@nanoq.gl for guidance on any specific case falling under both regulations.