Arctic Shipping on the Rise: What Trends Can Tell Us

As Arctic shipping increases, monitoring trends and collecting data about Arctic shipping can contribute to enabling safer shipping in the Arctic.

In response to a growing need for accurate, reliable and up-to-date information on Arctic shipping activities, PAME developed the Arctic Ship Traffic Data (ASTD) Program. ASTD collects a wide range of information, including ship tracks by ship type, information on number of ships in over 450 ports/communities across the Arctic, detailed measurements on emissions by ships, shipping activity in specific areas and fuel consumption by ships. PAME and the Arctic Council use data from ASTD to conduct analyses and reports related to Arctic shipping.

"We are producing more reports, one on bulk carriers which is a very interesting case, as one also has to look at the size of each vessel. The bigger the vessel, the more it carries," said Hreinsson. "The same goes with cruise and passenger ships, their number and distance sailed has increased, but the size of the ships and their passenger capacity has also increased."

"All of this results in more maritime activity and therefore more people in the high Arctic, hence the safety of the vessels and their crew and passengers are of upmost importance," remarked Hreinsson, who highlighted the significance of PAME projects such the 'Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum', which assists in the implementation of the International Maritime Organization's International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters.

He also highlighted PAME's 'Raising awareness of the Provisions of the International Maritime Organization's 2012 Cape Town Agreement for the Safety of Fishing Vessels', which, when implemented, will regulate fishing vessels specifically, as many existing international regulations do not apply to fishing vessels. He pointed out that the implementation of these regulations of course protects the environment and the people who live in the Arctic.

All Arctic Shipping Status Reports can be found on PAME's website.