Climate change, melting of ice and technology innovation will by all likeliness increase activity in the Arctic. Considering future opportunities and challenges in the High North, North Norway European Office, in collaboration with the Executive Committee for Northern Norway and the Maritime Forum of Northern Norway, Wednesday 9. December hosted the event Shipping in Arctic Waters.

The arrangement attracted participants from EU institutions, the shipping industry, regional and national politicians, think tanks and other organisations working within the field of maritime transport and the Arctic.

The arrangement focused on three dimensions concerning maritime activity in the Arctic. In the first part of the seminar, Arctic operations in a historic and political perspective were presented and discussed. The second session focused on future Arctic operations from a business perspective, and the final session tackled risks and challenges to shipping in Arctic waters.

Shipping in Arctic Waters is the third arrangement dealing with Arctic issues hosted by North Norway European Office. Previous arrangements have focused on the EU’s actions towards establishing an Arctic policy and sustainable use of resources in the Arctic. 

Seminar program: Shipping in Arctic Waters

Seminar presentations, Session A

Arctic transportation corridors - Law and politics
By Willy Østreng, Ocean Futures

Climate change and the environment - Implications for Polar shipping
By Salve Dahle, Akvaplan-Niva AS

EU Arctic Policy
By Fernando Garces, DG RELEX, European Commission

Seminar presentations, Session B

Future Arctic operations – From a Norwegian perspective
By Sturla Henriksen, Norwegian Shipowners’ Association

Possible roles for ports in North Norway
By Oddgeir Danielsen, the Norwegian Barents Secretariat

The Arctic shortcut
By Verena Beckhusen, Beluga Shipping Gmbh

The EU Arctic Communication from the maritime transport perspective
By Josep Casanovas, DG TREN, European Commission

Seminar presentations, Session C

From worldwide to Arctic shipping - Challenges and evaluation of risk
By Morten Mejlænder-Larsen, Det norske Veritas

Practical operations and logistics in the High North – A commercial view
By Henrik Falck, Tschudi Shipping AS

Security perspectives in the High North
By Jørgen Berggrav, NATO Headquarters in Brussels  

Marine safety – EMSA support services,  Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V
By Emilio Martin Bauza, European Maritime Safety Agency