Greenland's modern economy is driven by fishing, with state-run companies exporting shrimp and some fish abroad. As a result, many Greenlanders work in marine- and fishing-related trades. The docks of large west coast cities like Nuuk, Qaqortoq, and Sisimiut are busy with boat traffic and repair, plus the movement of cargo containers marked with ubiqitous Royal Arctic and Royal Greenland corporate logos.

If you head down to the docks -- an inevitable location for a city stroll -- you'll find a buzz of activity. There, workers busily load and unload goods that are Greenland's lifeblood. But even with a fish-products-export industry well developed, the home rule territory is subsidized heavily by the mother country at a nearly 1-1 ratio.

When Greenlanders aren't working, many are off enjoying themselves in the great waterways of the island. To truly enjoy this region, one has to get out on the water. Ferries may be a visitor's only way to see the coast. But if you're lucky enough to make friends, don't turn down an invitation to visit a secret hunting or fishing spot by boat. It might be one of the best trips you ever take -- like a trip I took with a family in 1998.

You can contact me by sending e-mail, or calling, to discuss usage rights and fees for my copyright-protected photography. I welcome any comments and, if needed, corrections.

Please click on the thumbnails to see a larger version of each picture. Each enlarged image is approximately 25-45kb.

Small-Town Delivery

At the town of Qassiarsuk, a delivery freighter drops off its wares.

Qaqortoq Harbor

A trawler pulls into the Qaqortoq harbor, in southwest Greenland.

Nuuk Harbor

Nuuk's harbor is filled with fishing vessels, which haul in the territory's moneymaker: seafood.

Qaqortoq Harbor

In Greenland, boat ownership is quite the norm.

Red Ahead

On board the Aleqa Ittuk, one sees ice and fog as it plows north up Tunnulliarfiq towards Narsasuaq.

'Aleqa Ittuk,' Pride of Southwest Greenland

The "Aleqa Ittuk" ferry carries passengers among the communities along the fjords of southwest Greenland.

Trade Dependent

A freighter unloads its goods in Nuuk's harbor.

Dry Docks in Nuuk

Many Greenlanders earn their living working on the boats on Greenland's west coast.

In The Red

A freighter in for repairs gets a traditional red paint job at the Nuuk dry docks.