Polar shipping is essential for scientific research, transporting goods, and supporting remote communities, but they come at a cost.

Sailing through thick sea ice can require up to three times more fuel than sailing in open water, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions and much greater expenses. As maritime activities in Arctic and Antarctic waters continue to grow, it make it increasingly important to find ways to travel through ice more safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

We are tackling this challenge by collecting detailed data from both ships and satellites, as well as applying advanced calculation methods for ship performance and ice loads. The project focuses on four advanced icebreakers with the goal to uncover how information intelligence, ice conditions, ship design, and navigation choices affect fuel use and emissions. 

GUIDE isnʼt just about todayʼs voyages.

The goal is to assist with the design of more efficient ships, upgrade existing vessels, and set future international recommendations for polar shipping. Bringing together universities, research institutions, industry partners, and vessel operators, the project blends scientific innovation with real-world applications.

GUIDE is a project with funding from The Research Council of Norway through the Maritime Low Emission Network (MarLEN)

Vision: to improve understanding of ship performance in ice-affected environments

Objective: To combine satellite observations, weather forecasts, shipboard sensors, and advanced modelling into actionable insights that enable safer, more energy-efficient operations.