Arctic Shipping 2008

Introduction

Introduction

We would like to thank the speakers, sponsors and delegates who participated in the 4th Annual Arctic Shipping Conference & Seminar. The 2008 conference was the most successful to date, providing a forum for knowledge transfer, information exchange and networking.

Over the past few years, as the Arctic ice rapidly retreats to levels unseen before, and there is increasing talk of trans-polar shipping routes, there is also increasing investment and exploration in potential and actual energy sources, minerals and other commodities in the region.   The opportunities could be immense as the estimates from the recent US Geological Survey report approximately 13% of world undiscovered oil reserves, 30% of natural gas and 44bn barrels of natural gas liquids in the Arctic.   In support of developments in current and future oil and gas fields, it is estimated that by the end of 2008 approximately 10% of the world tanker fleet is likely to be ice-class.  In addition, shipping of related energy products, minerals, forest products, equipment and supplies will continue to grow.

Continuing activity in these regions is likely to continue despite the economic downturn; which brings with it increased risks and challenges as well as opportunities.  New technology and techniques for ship design and construction to cope with harsh environments and low temperatures are being rapidly applied to all types of ice class ships to meet the operational challenges.

The 5th Annual Conference taking place in 2009 in the city of Helsinki will bring together an expert panel of speakers to share knowledge and discuss current developments, including:

  • A strategic overview and operational realities for Arctic shipping
  • Evaluation of demand and opportunities for trade and transportation
  • Examination of emergency preparedness, response and common standards for cooperation in the Arctic
  • Requirements for commercial operations and management of major projects and transport
  • Analysis of the key mix of skills and experience needed for ice navigators and crew and how to achieve this
  • Assessment of icebreaker operations management plus design and development for new icebreakers
  • Latest concepts for Arctic LNG and offshore support vessels

Confirmed speakers to date:

  • Dr Olav Orheim, Executive Secretary, International Polar Year, Research Council of Norway
  • Martin Pratt, Director, International Boundary Research Unit, University of Durham
  • Dermot Loughnane, Tactical Marine Solutions Ltd
  • Capt Garry Hallett, Superintendent, Operational Assurance and Relations, BP Shipping Ltd
  • Capt David Snider, Martech Polar Consulting
  • Capt Magnus Sjoquist, Senior Lecturer, Kalmar Maritime Academy
  • Vladimir Kuzmin, Admiral Makarov State Maritime Academy
  • Representatives, AARI
  • Professor Loly Tsoy, CNIIMF
  • Stefan Roehr, Germanischer Lloyd AG
  • Gijsbert de Jong, Bureau Veritas

 


Supported By:






Sponsors To Date: