BIMCO expanded and updated its online database on ice information, providing additional information on the amended Polar Code and the subsequently revised national rules, which regulates navigation in arctic waters.
The understanding of the ice conditions is crucial for navigation and from safety perspective, given the challenges behind sailing in ice waters. Similarly, during chartering operations it is important to have an accurate perspective on the challenges of navigating in ice, to be able to conduct the right passage planning.
Peter Lundahl Rasmussen, Head of Maritime Information commented
A lot of national regulations have been changed to reflect the revisions to the international Polar Code that went into force in 2017 … The intention is to guide members as to where to find the crucial, up-to-date information required to plan a route in Arctic waters and to make sure that the website and the ice information handbook are aligned.
Overall, BIMCO also keeps up with future developments in the field, such as the Copernicus Programme under the European Space Agency (ESA). The Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter Mission would use satellites to monitor sea-ice thickness, among other things, which will be valuable information for the maritime industry.
