Vessel Safety Navigation Under the Influence of Antarctic Sea Ice

• Published in: Journal of marine science and engineering Vol. 13; no. 7; p. 1267
• Main Authors: Liu, Weipeng, Yan, Daowei, Peng, Zekun, Xie, Maohong, Sun, Yanglong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.07.2025
• Subjects: Decision making; Expeditions; Hazard assessment; Ice cover; Icebreakers; Integrated approach; Kinematics; Latency; Navigation; Navigation in ice; navigation safety; Optimization; polar ice region; Polar waters; Ports; Real time; Remote sensing; Research ships; Risk assessment; Risk reduction; Route optimization; Safety; Satellites; Sea ice; shipborne remote sensing; survey route; Trends; Vessels; New Zealand; Arctic; China; Argentina; Antarctic Peninsula; United States > US; Japan; Drake Passage; South Korea; Northern Hemisphere; Arctic region; Ross Sea; Antarctica; Australia; Chile
• DOI: 10.3390/jmse13071267
• ISSN: 2077-1312

Antarctic navigation encounters substantial challenges due to the dynamic and perilous characteristics of sea ice, which pose threats to vessel safety and operational efficiency. Existing risk assessment methodologies frequently lack real-time adaptability, while strategies for icebreaker convoys remain insufficiently quantified. To address these deficiencies, this study introduces an integrated framework that combines satellite-based sea ice monitoring, operational risk prediction, and icebreaker escort optimization. First, polar research routes and hydrographic conditions are systematically analyzed to enhance navigation planning. Second, a risk assessment system is developed by leveraging satellite-derived sea ice density and thickness data, facilitating a near-real-time hazard assessment (subject to satellite data latency) evaluation with 96.3% accuracy in ice type classification and a 15% improvement in risk prediction precision compared to conventional methods. Finally, kinematic safety criteria for icebreaker-escorted convoys are established, specifying speed-dependent distance thresholds to minimize collision risks, achieving optimal speeds of 1.4–2.3 knots for PC3-class vessels and 10–20% speed improvements for escorted vessels in cleared channels. The findings offer actionable insights into polar route optimization, risk mitigation, and safe ice navigation protocols, thereby directly supporting operational decision making in Antarctic waters.