Global climate change is manifesting itself in the Arctic shipping world as a gradually increasing summer shipping season and reduced overall ice cover. These two factors will facilitate access to previously expensive resource extraction projects, and will increase Arctic shipping activity. Still, sea ice remains a hazard in much of the Canadian Arctic for all but the highest ice class vessels, even in the summer navigational season. It remains vital that vessel operators ensure both their ships and bridge teams are ready for encountering ice.
Martech Polar Consulting Ltd. is at the forefront in the Polar marine service industry, providing the experience and knowledge necessary to operate vessels in any ice or cold weather environment, bringing together decades of polar shipping experience from highly qualified and experienced mariners to ensure safe and efficient vessel operations in ice. Martech Polar’s team provides clients with both global onboard ice navigation and ice pilotage guidance, as well as polar shipping consultation services for those new or less experienced in polar operations. The global team of experienced and active Ice Masters that Martech Polar can call upon provides the broadest spectrum of knowledge and input. This ensures that voyage feasibility studies, guidance in or complete development of shoreside or onboard ice and cold weather procedures required for Safety Management Systems, newly required Polar Waters Operations Manuals and other consultative reports cover all the details.
Both onboard and ashore, Martech Polar has provided support around the globe. Clients have included: Alaska Maritime Agencies; Arctia Shipping; Canarctic Shipping Company; Cirrus Research Associates; Crossing the Line Films; Enfotec Technical Services; Fednav; Furness Whithy (Chartering) Ltd; Global Ocean Development; Greenwood Maritime Services; IBC Asia; IBC Lloyds Maritime Academy; Informa; Mitsui OSK Lines – LNG Carrier Division; MOL LNG Trasnport (Europe) Ltd; Polarview Observation Ltd; Shell International Shipping and Tanker Company; Tactical Marine Solutions; Teekay Canadian Tankers Ltd; Teekay Shipping (Australia) PTY; Teekay Shipping (Canada) Ltd; Transport Canada; and Wright Maritime Group.
Company founder and Principal Consultant Captain David (Duke) Snider is an ice navigator and ice pilot with extensive ice navigation experience in Arctic and Baltic waters and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. A Fellow of The Nautical Institute, and presently Senior Vice President, he has contributed to the IMO Polar Code as The Nautical Institute’s delegate on all matters related to ice navigation and polar shipping. He is author of the book “Polar Ship Operations – A Practical Guide”.