Scoping Study: Ice Information Requirements for Marine Transportation of Natural Gas from the High Arctic

• Main Authors: Timco, G.W., Gorman, B., Falkingham, J., O'Connell, B.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: National Research Council Canada 2005
• Subjects: Arctic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.4224/12340988; https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=1034579a-3fcb-4704-aadf-106f854769e2

This report describes a scoping study that was performed to investigate methods for improving transportation in the High Arctic. Fourteen Captains of ice-class vessels were interviewed. They unanimously said that the detection and avoidance of multi-year ice was the key issue. They also indicated that better knowledge of regions where ice pressure and leads develop is important. A one-day Workshop was held with several key Stakeholders and issues related to improved systems were discussed. This report summarizes these findings as well as reviews the existing ice information systems, the Canadian Ice Service operations, and the use of ice information by the Canadian Coast Guard. A three-year program is suggested that would significantly improve detection of multi-year ice.