Ice Navigation

Ice is an obstacle to any ship, even to an icebreaker, and the inexperienced ice navigator is advised to develop respect for the latent power and strength of ice in all its forms. However, it is quite possible for well-found ships in capable hands to navigate successfully through ice-covered waters. The first principle of successful ice navigation is to maintain freedom to maneuver. Once a ship is trapped in the ice, she has to go wherever the ice goes. Ice navigation requires great patience and can be a tiring business with or without the escort of an icebreaker. The long way around a difficult ice area with known limits is often the fastest and safest way to port - or the open sea.

Damage arising as a result of ice navigation and extreme cold weather occurs every year. Ice damage to vessels is more frequent at the beginning of a cold period, and vessels entering icy waters infrequently are more exposed. The recent cold winters in the Northern hemisphere have caused ships to encounter ice in areas which had not previously been affected by ice. Information gathering on current ice conditions is vital for the company's and crew`s risk assessment during voyage planning and prior to entering the affected area. Risk assessment will not necessarily provide precise answers to questions such as "how strong is strong enough?" or "how fast is too fast?" as we still lack some basic knowledge of how ships behave in ice. Generally, though, approximate answers are good enough for planning as long as they are coupled with appropriately cautious operation. Hazard identification and relevant areas to discuss during risk assessment could involve:

• Environmental conditions, including understanding of the actual ice conditions
• The right approach to ship equipment, including awareness of own ice class and "winterization" required
• Experience, training and information to be provided to the ship's crew to match their actions to the requirements of the voyage
• Operational issues, including voyage planning, navigation and emergency response

Hence the focus should not be only on the vessel itself and her cargo, but should also include training the crew in preparedness for the extreme conditions they may encounter. Gard's advice is that, if there is the slightest possibility that the vessel will be directed to a port which may be ice-bound upon arrival or during stay, a suitable ICE clause should be inserted in the charterparty and the bills of lading.

Loss prevention circulars on Ice Navigation

No. 02-06: Navigation through the entrances to the Baltic Sea (10.01.06)

No. 02-04: Winter season in northern Baltic Sea (14.01.04)

No. 09-03: Restrictions on ice navigation in the Gulf of Finland (12.12.2003)

No. 01-03: Severe ice conditions in the northern Baltic Sea (01.01.03)

No. 10-01: Operations in extremely cold climates (10.01.01) 

Other Gard material on Ice Navigation

Gard News 205: Operating in ice (2012)

Gard News 190: M/V NORDNORGE - Antarctic rescue of M/V EXPLORER (2008)

Gard News 189: Arctic Emergency Operation Project (2008)

Gard News 187: From a master's desk - Life in the Great Lakes and St Lawrence Seaway (2007)

Gard News 173: Restrictions on ice navigation in the Gulf of Finland (2004)

Gard News 173: North bound through fog and ice (2004)

Gard News 171: The ship that came in from the cold (2003)

Gard New 170: Winter in the Baltic - Navigation in ice (2003)

Gard News 165: Operations in extremely cold climates (2002)

Other featured resources

Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO)
BIMCO's main objective is to protect its global membership through the provision of quality information and advice, and while promoting fair business practices, facilitate harmonisation and standardization of commercial shipping practices and contracts. Gard's advice is for our members to sign up BIMCO's member's service on ‘Winter navigation' - https://www.bimco.org/en/Navigation.aspx . On this site members can find a brief general description of the ice conditions your ship may meet, regulations by ice authorities and recommendations for vessels operating in the winter season. The site could be accessed through www.bimco.org and consist of different geographical layers, dependent on where you operate.

Baltic Sea Ice Service
The purpose of Baltic Sea Services (BSIS) is to create a harmonised range of ice information products and services for the Baltic Sea and adjacent waters which are tailored to the needs of users and provides a better basis for decision making, thus contributing to the safety of navigation. The latest ice conditions are collected on a daily basis for Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russian Baltic ports and Sweden. For the current situation: http://www.bsis-ice.de/actualsituation.shtml

Polar view
Polar view offers integrated monitoring and forecasting services in the Polar regions, as well as mid latitude areas, affected by ice and snow. The Polar view service includes enhanced sea ice information (charts and forecasts) as well as ice-edge and iceberg monitoring data. http://polarview.met.no/

Canadian Ice Service
The Canadian Ice Service is the leading authority for information on ice in Canada's navigable waters. The Ice service provides the public with direct access to ice and iceberg information. The website contains a substantial amount of information on ice and iceberg conditions. Ice charts and ice bulletins can be downloaded from the following website: http://www.ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/app/WsvPageDsp.cfm?ID=10910&Lang=eng&PrdCatId=611 (Area: Canadian waters, Eastern Artic, Hudson Bay, Western Artic among others)

National Weather Service (NWS)
NWS provides weather, hydrologic and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas. The Anchorage forecast office is responsible for the southern portion of the state from the Canadian border just north of Yakutat and all the way west to the end of the Aleutian chain. Graphic analyses of sea surface temperatures and sea ice as well as five day sea ice forecast can be view at http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/ice.php?img=icef

Canadian Coast Guard publication: "Ice Navigation in Canadian Waters"
This document provides Masters and watchkeeping crew of vessels transiting Canadian ice-covered waters with the necessary information to obtain an understanding of the hazards, navigation techniques, and responses of the vessel. The manual has been modified to assist ships operating in ice in all Canadian waters, including the Arctic.

Kongsberg Satellite Services AS
KSAT is a Norwegian commercial operator and provider of satellite ground station services and satellite based maritime monitoring services. KSAT provides near real-time access to the satellite images for users operating in the high North. This enables users to receive real time information on the prevailing sea conditions and use it for navigation. http://www.ksat.no/Products/IceNavigation.htm

Examples of Ice clauses used in insurance policies
With focus on onboard experience and ship construction