Swedish icebreaker testing new monitoring system for Arctic maritime traffic
Maritime traffic in the Arctic is rising dramatically, leading to a greater need for safety and environmental protection. Consequently, as part of the icebreaker Oden's Artic expedition, the Swedish Maritime Administration (SMA) is testing a new tracking system for maritime traffic. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is also positive to the project, SMA said in a media release.
The Arctic is one of the world's most environmentally sensitive areas, while also being one of the most difficult to protect against accidents. Thus, the need to support the maritime industry is crucial in guaranteeing safety for navigation and the environment. The Swedish Maritime Administration is now testing a new system for monitoring maritime traffic that will improve the potential for sea rescue, icebreaker assistance and environmental protection.
"Sweden has lengthy experience of winter navigation in the northern areas of the Baltic and Gulf of Bothnia. Our expertise is a valuable resource for safety and environmental protection now that new traffic patterns are emerging in the Arctic," says Per Setterberg at the Swedish Maritime Administration, who is project manager for MICE.
MICE (MONALISA Ice), is the designation of the research and development project being conducted in cooperation between the Swedish Maritime Administration and the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg. MICE is aimed at capitalising on the more wide-ranging MONALISA project, which the Swedish Maritime Administration leads, and which permits the global monitoring of maritime traffic without the need for shore-based infrastructure, such as AIS base stations or radio communications.
The Swedish Maritime Administration (SMA) is a governmental agency and enterprise within the transport sector and is responsible for maritime safety and availability. Its services include: Pilotage, Fairway Service, Maritime Traffic Information, Icebreaking, Hydrograpy, Maritime and Aeronautical Search and Rescue and Seamen's Service.