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.

Ella Hibbert: An Update On Her Solo Arctic Circumnavigation

Ella Hibbert is an inspirational young woman who has set herself the challenge of solo circumnavigating the Arctic. At just 27 years old, Ella will be embarking on her adventure later this spring.

The Maritime Skills Academy has been closely following Ella’s journey as she refitted her beloved boat Yeva, and has also supported her through her rigorous training by providing Polar Code training from our Portsmouth facility back in 2023:

“The Maritime Skills Academy has a reputation for being one of the leading training schools in
a large variety of courses, along with boasting state-of-the-art facilities and experienced
instructors.

As of yet, I have not been into Arctic waters and the bridge simulator that we use during the
Polar code training at MSA will be an incredible way of gaining knowledge about Arctic waters
and conditions whilst still being on English soil.”

To see how far Ella has come since her last write-up (which you can read here) she has kindly detailed her progression in her training and preparation.

March 2025

“Since the last piece I wrote, there has been an incredible momentum carrying my campaign to attempt the first ever single-handed Arctic circumnavigation forward.

After finishing an extensive refit to my 38ft steel sailing yacht, Yeva, in June 2024, I set sail from Portsmouth to Stavanger on a sea trial, accompanied by sponsor and engineer-electrician Rick 2the Pirate” (Blackbeard Marine). After a couple of hiccups that we ironed out in Stavanger, Rick disembarked, and I continued my summer of training alone.

During this single-handed adventure, I made it all the way to the world’s most Northern settlement, deep within the Arctic Circle. Longyearbyen, Svalbard. At 78° North, Longyearbyen is much further into the Arctic than I will need to be for this year’s circumnavigation attempt and provided a wonderful training ground.

Crossing the Barents Sea (fondly referred to by sailors as the “Devil’s Dancefloor” for its renowned rough seas, as well as both endless fog and violent squalls), Yeva suffered total steerage failure and flooding. I managed to continue pumping the boat dry under hydro-vane steering, and once safely alongside (two days later), I was able to repair the boat.

I spent two fantastic weeks exploring Svalbard both by land and by sea and witnessed the wonders of the Arctic first-hand – a dream I’ve carried for many years finally coming true. I saw Arctic terns, walruses, puffins, and my favourite of all, an entire pod of beluga whales swimming up the fjord as they chased their lunch.

On the return voyage, I was star-struck by the Northern lights on multiple occasions. It was a testing outage that highlighted some issues with Yeva, which have since been resolved. Yeva has been undergoing another short refit period at the shipyard since October 2024.

I have now conducted further sea trials and am pleased with Yeva’s performance. I intend to slip lines from Haslar Marine on May 24th (weather allowing, of course, so the exact date could still change) to return to the Arctic once more, this time attempting the circumnavigation.

Over the last year, the campaign has been gaining a lot of attention – the British Scientific Exploration Society has endorsed it, and I am working closely with the International SeaKeepers Society to record the depth surroundings of the Arctic seabed as I go – information not yet readily available on published charts. I have also been invited to make a pre-recorded video explaining what I am doing and why, which will be played at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice on June 8^th. It’s a huge honour.

Ella Hibbert smiling in a selfie on board her boat Yeva

As I gear up to go over the next two months, the jobs list on board is gradually slowing down, and I am able to set aside some time to rest and see family and friends. But I am, on the other hand, counting down the days until departure – and I feel ready!

“When I return from my circumnavigation, S/Y Yeva will be put up for auction, with all proceeds from her sale being donated to both Polar Bears International and Ocean Conservancy, enabling these two incredible charities to continue their hard work in preserving and conserving the Arctic.

If you’d like to follow along on my voyage, please visit my website, YouTube channel, and social media pages, all under the name ‘Ella in the Arctic‘. There will also be a live tracker on board, so you’ll be able to follow my progress in real time. Thank you!”

We will certainly be following the rest of Ella’s journey as she sets off on her incredible feat, and you can be involved too!

Ella is accepting letters, notes of encouragement, poems, and photographs so that she can have something to read when feeling low and tired. If you’d like to be a small part of this amazing adventure and help Ella achieve her goal, you can send your contributions before the deadline of May 18^th to:

Ella Hibbert
Haslar Marina
Haslar Road
Gosport
PO12 1NU

We wish you the best of luck, Ella, and can’t wait to see how the rest of your progress goes!

Maritime Skills Academy Secures Bahamas Approval for Onboard Polar Code Training

The Maritime Skills Academy (MSA), a leading institution well known for its dedication to excellence in maritime training, proudly announces its official approval by the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) for Onboard Polar Code Training.

The BMA’s approval further solidifies the MSA’s position as a trusted provider of comprehensive maritime training programs.

“We are pleased to receive approval from the BMA for Onboard Polar Code Training. This is a testament to our commitment to delivering top-tier maritime training and ensuring the highest levels of safety and proficiency among seafarers worldwide.”
Mark Jaenicke, Operations Director at MSA

The BMA assesses institutions based on curriculum quality, facilities, faculty expertise, and adherence to international regulations. The MSA’s successful approval reflects its dedication to meeting and exceeding these demanding standards, providing delegates with a world-class education that prepares them for successful careers in the maritime industry.

“This approval opens new doors for the MSA, allowing us to expand our reach within the global maritime community”
added Mark.

The Bahamas-approved and Nautical Institute-recognised Polar Code Basic course follows the STCW guidelines on safely operating a vessel in the Arctic and Antarctic Waters. It has been developed by experienced Ice Captains and Ice Pilots, who are recognised leaders in the industry.

Find out more by downloading the course PDF here.