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.

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.

Enclosed Space Training: The Role of Technology in Protecting Seafarers

Enclosed spaces remain one of the most hazardous environments onboard vessels. In our previous blog, it was evident that crew members are most vulnerable to enclosed space emergencies and should be the priority when it comes to training.

Over the past few years, we have witnessed the development of technology both onboard and in training environments. Now we are starting to see technology that can help to reduce risks and improve enclosed space safety, including portable detection devices and remote monitoring systems.

The Growing Role of Technology in Enclosed Space Training

Although traditional safety precautions, such as practice drills, are still essential to onboard safety, the introduction of new technologies can be used on top of these practices to provide an additional level of protection. Modern technology can help responders identify hazards before entering an enclosed space. This can include: Portable multi-gas detectors, Wearable Monitoring Devices, Remote Ventilation and Purging Systems, Drones and Robotics and Communication systems.

Delegate lowering into enclosed space hatch

InterManager has collected statistics showing that since 1996, 310 people lost their lives in enclosed spaces on ships. A large number of enclosed space casualties are caused by asphyxiation or unknown dangerous gasses. Having access to life saving technology and being educated in its use can reduce the risk of casualties and ultimately, save lives.

Alignment With Industry Standards

Regulatory bodies such as The International Maritime Organization (IMO), STCW Standards and The Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) all speak on the importance of educating crew on the use and risk assessment of equipment. Crew should be trained and tested to an achievable industry standard level. Similarly, technology should be kept up to date, and users should be regularly trained on how to use the equipment to its full potential.

Despite being a powerful tool, technology should not replace training and traditional safety practices. The combination of industry-standard training, STCW regulations, and education on technological advancements will give seafarers the best possible chance of safe entry into enclosed spaces.

How the Maritime Skills Academy is shaping Enclosed Space Training

At the Maritime Skills Academy, we provide Bahamas, MNTB, Ofqual and MNTB-recognised training that supports ship operators in meeting compliance requirements while building a stronger safety culture onboard. Our enclosed space training ensures your crew are prepared for onboard emergencies and in a position to operate technological equipment safely.

Two delegates aiding a simulated casualty in an enclosed space at MSA

By simulating realistic conditions, crew can be prepared to respond to emergency situations in enclosed spaces. If crew are trained in enclosed space entry and educated on the correct procedures, the risk of panic and confusion in real emergencies is significantly reduced.

Book your MNTB Entry Into Enclosed Space course with the Maritime Skills Academy to find out how we can support your crew.