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Arctic Shipping Summit 2026
Matt Jeneroux, Member of Parliament and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Economic and Security Partnerships, Government of Canada
Senior Representative, Fednav
Jeffrey Maurice, Vice President, Partnerships, Arctic Economic Development Corporation
Melanie Matter Welsh, Executive Director and Founder, Alaska Unlimited
Erik Almkvist, Head of Ice Operations, Viking Supply Ships
Joanna Davies, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Polaris Advantage
Maiwenn Beadle, Founder, Unicorn Arctic Consultancy
Andrew Kinsey, Director, Marine Risk Consulting, Integrated Specialty Coverages
Keld Qvistgaard, Head of Ice Services, Danish Meteorological Institute
Paul Cordeiro, Ice Navigator, Northwest Passage Marine
Martin Skedsmo, Key Account Manager EO Sales, Kongsberg Satellite Services
• Future Business Opportunities in Arctic Shipping: Growth Drivers, Constraints and Realistic Outlook: Examine where Arctic shipping activity is expanding across transit, destination and project cargo markets, and assess the commercial conditions required for sustainable growth.
• Infrastructure That Enables Operations: Ports, Fuel and Project Delivery: Explore how ports, fuel supply, logistics networks and infrastructure investment influence the viability and reliability of Arctic shipping operations.
• Vessel and Icebreaking Capacity: Gaps, Constraints and Delivery: Assess whether existing ice-capable fleets and icebreaker programmes are sufficient to support growing operational demand across Arctic regions and seasons.
• Regulation vs Reality: Making Policy Work in Arctic Operations: Consider how environmental regulation, fuel restrictions and compliance frameworks translate into real operational consequences for Arctic operators.
• Industry–Community Collaboration: Aligning Commercial Activity with Local Knowledge and Priorities: Examine how Indigenous knowledge, community engagement and long-term collaboration contribute to safer, more effective and more reliable Arctic operations.
• Replicating Successful Arctic Operations: Turning Experience into Repeatable Practice: Explore how operators apply operational learning, voyage planning and vessel capability to consistently deliver successful Arctic operations.
• How Arctic Routes Are Actually Used: Planning, Timing and Operational Reality: A practical examination of how Arctic routes are selected, adapted and managed in response to changing ice, weather and commercial conditions.
• Technology That Delivers: Practical Tools for Arctic Operations: Assess how navigation technologies, ice information systems and operational support tools are improving safety, planning and decision-making in Arctic environments.
• Decision-Making at Sea: Judgement, Thresholds and Accountability: Examine how masters, operators and ice navigators make high-stakes operational decisions under conditions of uncertainty, commercial pressure and limited alternatives.
• Improving the Information Arctic Operators Depend On: Explore how hydrographic data, weather information, ice forecasting and local operational knowledge can be improved to support safer and more flexible Arctic navigation.
• Risk, Responsibility and Commercial Exposure in Arctic Shipping: Consider how operators, insurers, governments and commercial stakeholders define, allocate and price Arctic operational and infrastructure risk.
• Commercial Viability, Risk and Return in Arctic Shipping: Assess where Arctic shipping delivers realistic commercial value, and examine how companies evaluate cost, reliability, uncertainty and long-term investment potential.
ACI’s Arctic Shipping Summit 2026 brings together senior professionals directly involved in Arctic maritime operations, infrastructure, regulation, investment and operational decision-making, including:
• Shipowners, Operators and Ice-Class Fleet Managers: Commercial shipping companies operating bulk, project cargo, offshore support, destination shipping and Arctic-capable vessels responsible for fleet operations, chartering, voyage planning and Arctic strategy.
• Coast Guards, Icebreaking Authorities and Government Operators: National coast guards, marine safety agencies and government organisations responsible for Arctic operations, icebreaking, search and rescue, navigation support and maritime sovereignty.
• Ports, Infrastructure Developers and Logistics Organisations: Port authorities, infrastructure developers, engineering firms and logistics providers involved in Arctic port expansion, marine infrastructure, fuel supply and remote operational support.
• Regulators, Policy Makers and Maritime Authorities: Government departments, regulators and international maritime organisations shaping Arctic shipping policy, environmental compliance, vessel standards and operational frameworks.
• Ice Navigation, Marine Operations and Vessel Management Professionals: Masters, ice navigators, nautical superintendents, operations managers and Arctic specialists responsible for operational execution and onboard decision-making in Arctic conditions.
• Marine Insurers, Underwriters and Risk Advisers: Insurance providers, underwriters and risk consultants assessing operational exposure, infrastructure risk, vessel capability and commercial liability within Arctic environments.
• Hydrographic, Ice, Weather and Navigation Data Organisations: Organisations providing hydrographic services, ice information, weather forecasting, routing support and operational intelligence used in Arctic voyage planning and navigation.
• Vessel Technology, Navigation and Operational Support Providers: Companies developing onboard technologies, navigation systems, communications tools and operational support solutions designed to improve Arctic safety, planning and decision-making.
• Shipbuilders, Naval Architects and Engineering Companies: Shipyards, vessel designers and marine engineering organisations involved in the design, construction and maintenance of ice-class and polar-capable vessels.
• Cruise Operators and Expedition Shipping Companies: Arctic cruise and expedition operators evaluating operational planning, vessel capability, environmental management and passenger safety within polar environments.
• Resource, Mining and Industrial Project Operators: Resource companies and industrial project developers reliant on Arctic marine logistics, seasonal shipping access and remote infrastructure capability.
• Indigenous Organisations and Community Representatives: Indigenous groups, local organisations and regional stakeholders engaged in Arctic shipping discussions relating to operational impact, collaboration, environmental management and long-term regional development.
• Academic, Research and Training Institutions: Universities, maritime academies, simulation centres and applied research organisations contributing to Arctic navigation, vessel operations, marine engineering and policy development.
• Legal, Advisory and Strategic Consulting Organisations: Law firms, strategic advisers and specialist consultancies supporting Arctic shipping activity across regulatory, operational, commercial and governance matters.
• Senior Decision-Makers Across the Arctic Shipping Sector: Previous editions have attracted Chief Executives, Vice Presidents, Fleet Managers, Directors, Heads of Operations, Ice Service Leaders, Commercial Managers, Policy Advisers, Technical Specialists and Arctic Operations professionals responsible for strategy, investment and operational delivery across the sector.
Event Overview
The 2025 edition of ACI’s Arctic Shipping Summit brought together shipowners, operators, regulators, coast guards, infrastructure developers, technology providers and Arctic specialists to examine the practical realities shaping Arctic maritime operations. Across two days of presentations and discussion, the event focused on the operational, regulatory and commercial conditions influencing Arctic navigation, with particular emphasis on applied experience, operational decision-making and the challenges of delivering reliable activity in complex environments.
Operational Risk and Real-World Execution
A major focus of the conference was operational execution and risk management in Arctic environments. Speakers challenged a number of commonly perceived Arctic risks, arguing that factors such as poor voyage planning discipline, overreliance on automated routing systems and inconsistent interpretation of navigation data can present more immediate operational threats than extreme environmental conditions themselves. Real grounding incidents and operational case studies were used to demonstrate how failures in judgement, planning and information interpretation can lead to incidents even in manageable conditions.
Human Judgement and Operational Experience
Multiple sessions highlighted the importance of operational judgement and experience within Arctic navigation. Discussions examined how masters, ice navigators and operational teams combine radar, satellite imagery, onboard systems and visual observation to interpret changing ice conditions in real time. Speakers consistently emphasised that formal training alone is insufficient without practical operational exposure, drawing a clear distinction between theoretical competence and real-world decision-making in Arctic environments.
Vessel Capability and Arctic Navigation
Operational case studies provided detailed insight into vessel performance and Arctic navigation practices. One presentation explored several years of operational experience aboard a high-specification polar vessel, demonstrating how vessel capability, routing decisions and real-time operational adjustments interact during Arctic voyages. Speakers also highlighted the variability of ice conditions between regions and seasons, and the need for operators to continuously adapt speed, routing and planning strategies during operations.
Commercial Reality and Route Viability
The conference also explored the commercial dimension of Arctic shipping. Presentations examined route economics, scheduling reliability and insurance exposure, while assessing where Arctic operations currently deliver practical commercial value. Speakers noted that most Arctic shipping activity remains destination-based rather than transit-driven, and discussions considered whether concepts such as convoy systems and integrated logistics models could improve predictability and support future commercial growth.
Regulation, Governance and International Frameworks
Regulatory and governance frameworks formed another major theme throughout the event. Sessions examined international maritime law, regional cooperation mechanisms and evolving environmental frameworks affecting Arctic operations. Speakers discussed the operational implications of differing national approaches to navigation systems, infrastructure and vessel management across Arctic regions, while also highlighting ongoing uncertainty around liability, operational responsibility and incident response in remote environments.
Indigenous Engagement and Local Knowledge
Several presentations focused on the role of Indigenous organisations and local stakeholders within Arctic shipping activity. Discussions highlighted the importance of consultation, co-management frameworks and the integration of traditional knowledge into operational planning and environmental assessment processes. Speakers emphasised that effective engagement is an ongoing operational requirement rather than a one-time consultation exercise, particularly in regions where shipping activity intersects with local livelihoods, wildlife management and community priorities.
Technology Supporting Arctic Operations
Technology discussions at the summit focused primarily on practical operational application rather than theoretical innovation. Presentations explored the use of simulation environments, digital twins and operational modelling tools to improve training, voyage planning and decision-making in Arctic conditions. Speakers positioned these technologies as tools designed to support operators and improve understanding of vessel limitations, operational scenarios and human performance rather than replace operational expertise.
A Practical Industry Discussion
Overall, the 2025 Arctic Shipping Summit reflected an industry focused on operational realism, applied knowledge and practical delivery. Across the programme, discussions consistently returned to the interaction between vessel capability, infrastructure, operational judgement, regulatory frameworks and stakeholder collaboration in determining how Arctic shipping can be conducted safely, effectively and commercially realistically in practice.
Global Spatial Technology Solutions (GSTS) is a maritime AI company focused on improving safety, efficiency, and decision-making in Arctic shipping. As activity in northern waters continues to grow, GSTS helps shipping operators, logistics providers, and government agencies navigate the region’s unique risks—ranging from sea ice and extreme weather to limited infrastructure and visibility.
Our flagship platform, OCIANA®, brings together vessel tracking, environmental data, and regional context to provide a clear, continuous picture of Arctic shipping activity. It supports operators in proactive route planning, monitoring voyages, and responding to changing conditions.
Designed with the realities of Arctic navigation in mind, OCIANA® provides valuable insights for challenging conditions. The platform highlights potential risks, unusual vessel movements, and emerging patterns, helping organizations make informed decisions that enhance safety, sustainability, and operational performance.
OCIANA® helps identify long-term trends in Arctic shipping, including traffic patterns, seasonal changes, and evolving operational risks. This broader view supports better planning, improved resource allocation, and stronger situational awareness in a region where conditions can shift rapidly.
By focusing on clarity and actionable insight, OCIANA® enables shipping stakeholders to operate more safely and efficiently in one of the world’s most demanding maritime environments.
To learn more, visit gsts.ca.
Founded in 1841, NOV BLM designs and manufactures high-performance equipment built to pull, push, and lift in some of the world’s harshest sea environments, including for Ice Class Vessels.
Based in Nantes, France, our fully integrated facility brings engineering, machining, electric motor production, assembly, testing, and service together under one roof. This structure ensures consistency, quality, and control from concept through commissioning and long-term support.
We specialize in deck machinery (winches, windlasses), launch and recovery systems, and transfer solutions for cruise, cargo, LNG, and naval vessels. As the market leader in cruise deck machinery, we deliver tailored systems designed for reliability, space efficiency, and long service life.
Every solution is engineered for purpose and built for lifecycle value. Our global aftermarket teams provide inspection, service, and retrofit support to keep vessels operating safely and efficiently.
For more than 180 years, BLM has evolved with the marine industry, combining heritage, innovation, and manufacturing expertise to help our customers perform with confidence at sea.
Our vision is to be the preferred partner in polar and harsh environments, delivering safe, effective, and sustainable operations by combining our expertise with tailored vessels.
Viking Supply Ships (VSS) core business is within the Offshore and Offshore/Icebreaking segment on a Worldwide basis. The fleet now comprises of 8 AHTS vessels (6 with high ice class).
VSS holds a unique expertise within the general offshore industry dating back to the start of the company in 1974. Customization and innovation, combined with a leading position in safety and the environment are key success factors. Our history with Arctic operations goes far back in time, we have a proven track record within Arctic offshore operations, both as ship operators of combination offshore-icebreakers, management of governmental icebreakers, arctic research icebreaker and providers of ice-management and logistical solutions of more than 25 years’ with vast range of experience of different icebreaking and offshore work. In addition to a modern AHTS fleet customized for icy operations the company Viking Ice Consultancy was established in 2015 as a part of the Viking Supply group.
ACI has put together a range of packages to suit your requirements. These range from branding options, to full scale partner solutions and can be tailored to meet your objectives and budgets.
If you are launching a new product or service and wish to gain visibility and brand recognition within your industry, contact us today!
For commercial opportunities, please contact:
Sam Cormack
Tel: +44 20 3141 0609
Email: [email protected]
