Alexandra Cayzer, Author at The Maritime Skills Academy

Navigating the Future of Polar Shipping – Insights from the 2025 Polar Maritime Seminar

Supporting Safer Polar Shipping

In January 2025, over 200 delegates from nearly 100 countries and organisations gathered at the IMO Headquarters in London for the Polar Maritime Seminar, co-sponsored by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Norway’s Chairship of the Arctic Council, in cooperation with the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) Working Group.

This significant event marked a key moment in the global conversation around polar maritime operations, uniting regulators, researchers, operators, and Indigenous representatives to address the increasing complexities of shipping in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Themes and Outcomes of the Polar Maritime Seminar

1. Trends in Polar Shipping and Vessel Activity

During the event, experts presented data showing a steady rise in Arctic and Antarctic traffic, driven by tourism, resource access, and scientific missions. The Arctic Ship Traffic Data (ASTD) project highlighted the need for improved monitoring and transparency to track pollutants emitted and promote a more sustainable method of traffic so as not to disrupt sensitive ecosystems.

2. Voyage Planning and Risk Management

With dedicated sessions on the importance of real-time data, satellite support, and proactive planning, the POLARIS risk indexing system was reviewed as a tool to help operators assess ice conditions and make safer routing decisions.

3. Search and Rescue (SAR) Challenges

Due to limited infrastructure in polar regions, SAR capabilities still remain a concern. Case studies, including the Northguider grounding, underscored the need for international collaboration and contingency planning.

4. Training and Competence Development

The seminar emphasised the importance of STCW polar modules and advanced simulation-based training. Speakers from the IMO, Norwegian Maritime Authority, and industry leaders discussed how to enhance crew readiness for polar conditions.

At the Maritime Skills Academy, training and competence development are at the heart of our deliverables. As the only MCA-approved, Polar Code Training centre in the world, our expertise and knowledge have seen many pass their Basic and Advanced courses, making the waters safer one vessel at a time.

5. Environmental Protection and Emissions

As a population, we should be making more of an effort to reduce our emissions and plastics that are harming the environment. The shipping industry alone accounts for approximately 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and contributes to other concerns such as oil spills and noise pollution that affect marine life. The seminar raised all the above points, touching on the plastic pollution from fisheries, which is also a significant contributor to environmental disruption.

As a result, the decision was made to strengthen the Polar Code and expand emission control measures, especially in light of the Arctic’s accelerated warming.

6. Fishing Vessel Safety

The summit concluded with a decision to approve the Cape Town Agreement, establishing minimum safety standards for fishing vessels— a critical issue given their increasing presence in polar waters.

A Collaborative Path Forward

Speakers, including Ms Heike Deggim (IMO) and Ms Siv Christin Gaalaas (Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries), stressed the importance of balancing opportunity with responsibility. The seminar reinforced that safe and sustainable polar shipping requires:

Strong international cooperation
Continuous regulatory evolution
Investment in training and technology
Respect for Indigenous knowledge and ecosystems

The 2025 Polar Maritime Seminar sets the tone for the challenges and opportunities ahead. As we move into the winter season and more discussions on polar operations, we’ll explore how these themes translate into real-world practices from training and compliance to innovation and climate resilience.

The Maritime Skills Academy hopes that by raising awareness of these issues and providing essential training to crew, we can help Set New Standards Together in the maritime industry.

What is the right training course for me?

Looking to start a career at sea but don’t know where to start

To start a career on board, all seafarers must complete their STCW Basic Safety Training. This five-day training course includes Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting, PSSR & Security Awareness, Personal Survival Techniques and Elementary First Aid.

These courses are essential, not only because they are a legal requirement, but because they prepare crew for the unlikely event of an onboard emergency.

Basic Safety Training (BST) is so crucial in the maritime industry that even seasoned seafarers are required to refresh their certification every five years.

At the Maritime Skills Academy (MSA), we facilitate both first time BST and refresher training at our state-of-the-art facilities in Dover.

What Course Do I Need to Take to Become an Officer?

To advance in your career to a deck or engine officer position, seafarers will be required to qualify for a certificate of competency. This involves undergoing a medical assessment and accumulating six months of seagoing service.

What Courses Should Deck Officers Take?

Our bespoke simulator training facility centre in Portsmouth is the perfect place for deck and engine officers to train simultaneously. Helping them to develop teamworking and communication skills across departments, our Deck simulations are operated with the highest specification of technology and realistic capabilities.

Individual and Advanced Ship Handling Training

Using Conventional or Podded Propulsion, our ship handling training courses are designed to prepare delegates for abnormal or emergency voyaging conditions. Simulating various situations, including poor weather conditions, close proximity to land, narrow channels, shallow water, and poor visibility, among others.

Bridge Resource Management (BRM) 1 & 2

BRM training is designed to equip delegates with the skills they need to manage bridge operations during standard and emergency conditions. Practicing skills like teamwork, communication, situational awareness and decision making to ensure the safe completion of the vessel’s voyage.

Bridge Simulation Assessments

Our bridge simulation assessments are designed to identify seafarer competency levels and evaluate whether they are suitable for deck roles. Similarly, the assessments are capable of identifying individuals with a standout approach and capability, making them ready for promotion.

Electronic Chart Display & Information Systems (ECDIS) Training

Using our exclusive ECDIS training room, delegates will learn to operate the system under varying circumstances and conditions effectively. These skills will enable delegates to maintain a safe navigational watch, keep up to date with the latest technologies and safety procedures, as well as any internal system changes within the company they work for (which we can replicate in our simulator).

Port Studies

Understanding port operations, navigational challenges and safety protocols is essential for smooth global trade and international compliance to continue. Which is why Port studies is possibly the most essential training course for shipping companies, port authorities, and maritime students. Our simulator facilities are designed to replicate potential hazards and situations that will encourage delegates to put safety protocols to use. With the support of our expert training instructors, delegates will complete the course with a strong understanding of port activities and how to respond to an emergency.

Tug Simulator Training

Tug Simulator Training is the perfect way to train crew in a controlled environment. All types of tugboats are simulated in our Portsmouth centre, including conventional single-screw tugs, conventional twin-screw tugs, cycloid-drive (Voith-Schneider) tractor tugs and Z-drive reverse tractor drive. With 360-degree screens in one dedicated room, you can feel fully submersed in the training exercise.

Vessel Resource Management

Our vessel resource management course involves our unique capability to run the Bridge Simulator and Engine Room Simulator in conjunction with each other. This course encourages teamwork and communication between departments and trains teams to take on tasks as an entire vessel as opposed to individual departments.

Bespoke Onboard Training

Our expert trainers are available to travel to your vessel for bespoke onboard training! With previous vessels based in Canada, North America, and Europe, contact our booking team today to see how we can tailor our courses to meet your needs.

What Courses Should Engine Officers Take?

Engine Room Resource Management 1&2

The Engine Room Resource Management courses are designed to prepare crew for navigating both standard and emergency conditions. Refining their decision-making, teamwork and communication skills by placing teams into simulated, real-world, scenarios.

Engine Room Simulation Assessments

Similarly to our bridge simulation assessments, our engine room simulation assessments are designed to identify seafarer competency levels evaluates whether they are suitable for engine roles or in a position to be promoted.

Operational and Management Level STCW High Voltage Course

In our simulated high voltage scenarios, delegates can practice safety processes, reconfiguration, identifying faults, managing high voltage operations onboard a ship and understanding the maintenance of distribution capability. By offering the course at both operational and management levels, engineers can progress from one to the other as they continue to develop their careers.

Maritime Skills Academy Training Courses

Choosing the Maritime Skills Academy for your maritime training means investing in long-term learning, trainers that prioritise best practice, and the capability to merge courses.

Don’t forget to sign up to the Viking Crew website to receive 20% off!

Marine Evacuation Systems (MES ): Safety at Sea

In the maritime industry, evacuation and safety systems are vital in the event of an emergency. Arguably, none are as critical as the Marine Evacuation System (MES). Saving countless lives year on year, MES systems are designed to be utilised on large vessels, carrying thousands of passengers.

For this reason, it is imperative that crew should be properly trained and able to guide passengers through the various marine evacuation systems available on board.

At the Maritime Skills Academy, our hands-on training prepares crew for onboard emergencies with two industry-leading technologies, Brude and VIKING LSE.

What is a Marine Evacuation System (MES)?

Marine Evacuation Systems (MES) are inflatable evacuation systems that allow for quick and controlled descent from a ship into life rafts. The most common type of MES is the chute-based system, which connects the ship to life rafts via a vertical or inclined inflatable chute.

These systems are designed to deploy within minutes and accommodate large numbers of people efficiently, even in challenging sea conditions.

Why Are MES Used on Ships?

MES are used on large passenger vessels, mainly due to the majority of people onboard not being trained or prepared for emergencies. These are optimal for their general ease of use and efficiency in evacuating passengers quickly.

Fastest Marine Evacuation Solution

In the event of a fire, collision, sinking, or any situation where all on board will be required to abandon ship, an MES system is the fastest solution. With multiple MES chutes installed onboard, multiple evacuations can take place simultaneously.

Ease of use

Marine Evacuation Systems are very straightforward to use. This means that passengers can descend calmly, leaving enough time for crew to follow suit. The MES will also offer a controlled descent, allowing evacuees to determine their pace, reducing overall stress.

Independent Operation

If a vessel is in an emergency situation that has caused power outages or poses a danger if power is used, the ideal evacuation system will be independent from the ship’s electrical operations. MES systems are manually deployed by a specialised, dedicated crew, which means they can be used in almost any emergency event.

MES SOLAS regulations

To ensure international safety standards are met, every passenger vessel must harbour a Marine Evacuation System onboard, that has been inspected within the last six years. Crew are also required to be trained in the operation of the Marine Evacuation System they have on board their vessel, which will most likely be a VIKING or Brude system.

Types of Ships That Use MES

MES are typically found on passenger ferries, cruise ships, Ro-Ro vessels, highspeed crafts and offshore installations.

VIKING LSE Marine Evacuation System entrance

These vessels often carry hundreds or thousands of passengers and crew, making fast and efficient evacuation systems essential.

Benefits of MES Chutes

Speed

Marine Evacuation Systems can deploy and be ready for use in under 90 seconds which makes them the perfect solution for onboard emergency and mass evacuation.

Capacity

Some Marine Evacuation Systems can evacuate over 600 people in 30 minutes. For ferries and cruise ships, this is a significant benefit, as they transport a large number of people.

Safety

Lifeboat launches can be unpleasant, uncomfortable and in worst case scenarios, fatal. MES Chutes are a safer, easier solution that can provide a smooth evacuation for all, even without experience.

Compact storage

MES systems are small and compact. Taking up significantly less room than lifeboats or davit storage. They are also easy to deploy by comparison, making for a more pleasant environment especially onboard cruise ships, where passengers are expecting luxury.

Training at Maritime Skills Academy (MSA)

At the Maritime Skills Academy, our Marine Evacuation System training is designed to prepare crew for emergency evacuations. Teaching not only how to depart the vessel themselves, but how to encourage and explain the process to peers. Community and teamwork are essential in an onboard emergency and crew will be required to guide passengers through the evacuation scenario, should it occur.

Delegate training at the top of Brude Marine Evacuation System

Delegate training at the top of Viking LSE Marine Evacuation System

Why Choose MSA for MES Training?

At the Maritime Skills Academy, our expert instructors provide training in accredited courses for both MES systems mentioned in this piece. Simulating real-world scenarios and guiding delegates through their descent.