Integrated satellite data for navigation in Arctic waters

This paper describes some initiatives in Europe to develop the manner in which information derived from Earth observation satellites may be used to support the operational activities of vessels navigating at high latitudes. Ice charts suitable for strategic navigation and based on Earth observation (EO) data are now being routinely produced through the integration of two types of satellite data and ship observations. In parallel, methods for generating high-resolution charts suitable for supporting tactical navigation are being developed; the approach described uses the integration of EO and meteorological data into knowledge-based systems. Research is also under way to provide decision support systems for ship routing through ice; these tools involve the coupling of tactical ice charts with models. Nevertheless, issues remain to be resolved before such approaches can permit the full integration of EO-derived information into commercial operations