Among the biggest challenges of polar navigation are unpredictable, drifting sea ice and icebergs, severe extreme weather (storms, polar lows), and significant sea-spray icing that threatens vessel stability. Additional hurdles include limited infrastructure (ports, search and rescue), out-dated nautical charts, and poor, unreliable satellite communications at high latitudes. This panel will address some of these challenges:

• Confirmed
  Tore HongsetEPPR SAR Expert Group Chair
• TBC
  Manon LarocqueARHC Chair, CHS Director, Canada — sea ice/weather info expertConfirmed in principle; ministerial approval pending but likely
• TBC
  Marianne ThyrringKingdom of DenmarkTentative yes; confirming she can speak for IICWG
• TBC
  Knut Espen SolbergNorwegian Space AgencyOutstanding
• TBC
  Amanda FiscalettiFedNav — operator perspectiveWilling, pending senior management sign-off

This panel will identify recent legal and policy developments, such as the entry into force of relevant international instruments and the adoption by international organizations such as the IMO, ILO (?), and IHO of decisions or measures.

• Confirmed
  Suzanne LalondeMARPOL HFO ban & Container Loss ReportCould also cover BBNJ Treaty entry-into-force
• Confirmed
  Kristoffer KjærsgaardKingdom of Denmark — Black Carbon
• TBC
  Fausto Lopez CrozetArgentinaConfirmed subject to funding
• TBC
  IMO Secretariat speakerName TBD, likely via Sascha Pristrom — recent/pending IMO decisionsIMO presence confirmed, individual TBD

This panel will discuss how the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, piracy, and the vast natural resources of the Arctic are or may impact Arctic shipping from the perspective of shipping companies, energy companies, marine insurers, and other stakeholders.

• Confirmed
  Prof. Mia BennettGeopolitical trends
• Confirmed
  Heather Exner-PirotEconomic attraction of Arctic resources
• TBC
  South Korea industry representativeIndustry perspective

This panel will discuss how increasing Arctic shipping over the last 15 years has benefited and/or burdened indigenous and local communities and how these communities aim to take advantage of those benefits and reduce and mitigate the burdens.

• Confirmed
  Jim GambleLocal community perspective
• Confirmed
  Sian PriorClean Arctic Alliance / Seas At Risk — Black Carbon from ships
• TBC
  Sara OlsvigICC GreenlandAwaiting reply
• Alternate
  Virginia Mearns (Canada SAO) or Herb Nakimayak (ICC Canada)Backup for Sara Olsvig
• TBC
  Academic (TBD)Studying these issuesNot yet identified
• TBC
  Whitney LackenbauerCanada

This panel will discuss how ports and harbors in the Arctic view the increases in ship traffic, steps they are taking or plan to take to adjust to the increase in ship traffic and the change in its composition, and how changes they view as desirable or necessary to support the changes.

• Confirmed
  Mike McNairCEO, Arctic Economic Development Corp., Port of Qikiqtarjuaq — Canadian port
• Confirmed
  Niels ClemensenCEO, Royal Arctic Line A/S — Greenlandic port
• TBC
  Korean speakerVia Umji Kim / KMICountry confirmed, individual TBD — female speaker requested
• TBC
  IAPH representativeInternational Association of Ports and HarborsProf. Patrick Verhoeven contacted, no response yet; female panelist also being sought
• TBC
  Jon-Arve RoysetPossible added focus: fuel supply

This panel will discuss three recent ship groundings in the Arctic and what can be learned from them.

• TBC
  Leedwine DavidIMO — moderator/presenter, reporting-to-IMO angleAgreed in principle
• Confirmed
  Caroline JupeIMRF — SAR considerations

While much attention is given to increasing traffic of commercial ships in the Arctic, research vessels continue to ply Arctic waters, spending more time and for different purposes. This panel will share the experiences and perspectives of research ship operators in the Arctic and how they can inform developments in sustainable navigational safety.

• TBC
  Matthew NeillCaptain, RRS David Attenborough — BAS representativeTentative yes, checking schedule
• TBC
  Finland speakerLikely femaleIndividual TBC
• TBC
  IRSO representativeRandy Sliester (BAS) or Nick Browne (Australian Antarctic Division)Not yet contacted, pending overlap check
• Alternate
  Philip Sander (Germany)Female speaker — possible alternative for IRSO seat
• TBC
  Michael ZgoznikAustralian Antarctic DivisionAwaiting response
• Backup
  Japan polar research vessel representative

Fishing vessels play a major role in the Arctic. This panel covers their role in the region, focusing on international shipping frameworks, legal obligations, fishing gear management plans, port reception facilities, and the implementation of the Cape Town Agreement.

• TBC
  Åsa TeirinFaroese Maritime Authority — international shipping frameworks
• Also considering
  Andrea Skarstein (Norway), Argentina
• TBC
  Wouter Jan StrietmanUniversity of Wageningen, Netherlands — Fishing Gear Management Plan / ALDFGAwaiting confirmation, formal invitation to follow
• Also considering
  Robert Greenwood (Fish Platform?)
• TBC
  Capt. Paula Calvo Saiz or Jose CasadoSpain — Cape Town AgreementTentative yes
• Also considering
  Kristín Helga Markúsdóttir (Iceland)Awaiting confirmation