Danish navy patrol cutter Tulugaq has set off on its annual voyage to Hans Island, the Arctic island claimed by both Denmark and Canada, Ritzau news bureau reported on Thursday.

The attempt to reach the island takes on new significance this year, as the dispute over who controls the 1.3 sq. km outcropping has heated up in recent weeks.

Denmark reacted strongly to the Canadian defense minister's recent unannounced visit to the island and his later claims that the island belongs to Canada.

Denmark, which represents Greenland in international affairs, bases its claims of sovereignty on both geographic location and native Greenlanders' traditional use of the island.

Despite the timing of the visit, the captain of the Tulugaq, Alex Jensen of the Greenlandic Command, said the attempt to reach the island was not spurred by the Canadian visit, according to Ritzau.

"We normally put up a new Danish flag, as the old one usually has been blown away. We also leave behind some emergency rations, and make an entry into the log there. After that, we leave and hopefully continue on north in Greenland/Danish territory," said Jensen.

The ship, which set sail from southern Greenland on Wednesday, is expected to arrive at Hans Island in three weeks, if it makes it all.

Although Danish ships try to visit the island every summer, weather conditions have only permitted three visits since 1988.

Source: Xinhua