The 2025 Polar Maritime Seminar, co-hosted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Norway's Chairship of the Arctic Council, in cooperation with the Arctic Council's Working Group on the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment, concluded today at IMO Headquarters in London.
More than 200 participants from nearly 100 countries and organizations convened for two days of critical discussions aimed at enhancing safety and sustainability in Arctic and Antarctic shipping.
The seminar tackled a broad agenda, including the latest Polar shipping developments, trends in polar vessel activity in the Artic and Antarctic, voyage planning, search and rescue operations, polar waters training, and pollution control measures. Topics such as underwater noise reduction, fishing vessel safety, and the POLARIS risk management tool also took center stage.
Ms. Heike Deggim, Director of the Marine Environment Division at IMO, said: "Building on the success of the 2022 Polar Maritime Seminar, which resulted in deepened cross-collaboration between both Polar Regions this seminar has been a huge success. The seminar highlighted very important issues for the safety of life at sea, and the protection of the polar Regions' pristine environment, and in respect of the Arctic and its people."
She underlined the importance of working with the Arctic Council to achieve these objectives, and in particular with Norway and the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment Working Group. (Read full opening address)
Ms. Siv Christin Gaalaas, Specialist Director, Norwegian Ministry of Trade Industry and Fisheries said: "It is our obligation as responsible coastal and flag states to balance the opportunities the oceans provide us with and at the same time protect the marine environment in the vulnerable Polar areas. Promoting safe and sustainable shipping in Polar areas is a challenge we must continue to meet collectively and collaboratively through effective international cooperation."
"The Polar Maritime Seminar has proved to be an exceptional platform for relevant stakeholders to come together to share experiences and best practices, and advance safe and sustainable shipping in Polar areas," she added.
