All aboard to the Arctic! Current Policy and Operational Issues in Arctic Shipping Safety and Environmental Protection 20 March 2018 at 8:45–16:30 Thon Hotel EU, Rue de la Loi 75, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium   With Arctic waters becoming more accessible for shipping due to global warming, ship traffic in the Arctic regions is increasing. Given the sensitivity of and the increasing pressures on the Arctic ecosystem, there is a need for policies, technologies and operational practices ensuring the safety of navigation while minimizing environmental impacts. The half-day seminar brings together policy makers, industry, and academia, to discuss current issues in Arctic maritime shipping policy and operations. Keynote speeches by leading experts are followed by a moderated discussion. After the seminar, a poster session is organized where researchers from academia and experts from industry showcase their work. The seminar is organized by Aalto University and Northern Dimension Institute.   Please register here by 13 March. Researchers from academia and industry experts are invited to send poster proposals by 28 February 2018 via the same link. For further information please contact Dr. Floris Goerlandt: floris.goerlandt@aalto.fi Agenda: 8:45 Registration and coffee 9:30 Opening remarks, Prof Pentti Kujala, Aalto University, Marine Technology Unit 9:45 Current Policy Issues in Arctic Shipping and Environmental Protection   Speakers: Ms.Sirpa Pietikäinen, Member of the European Parliament Ms. Christine Berg, Head of Maritime Safety Unit, European Commission DG MOVE Mr. Oddgeir Danielsen, Director of Northern Dimension Partnership on Transport and Logistics, Finland Mr. Robert Tustin, Senior Principal Specialist, Lloyd’s Register, United Kingdom Panel discussion and Q&A   11:00 Coffee Break 11:30 Current Operational Issues in Arctic Shipping Safety and Environmental Protection   Speakers: “Business views on the Northern Sea Route” Prof. Riitta Kosonen, Aalto University & Northern Dimension Institute, Finland   “The Polar Code: safe design and operation for vessels in the Arctic” Mr. Rob Hindley, Specialist Arctic Technology, Aker Arctic, Finland   “Practical experience from navigation in NSR and Arctic research in China” Prof. Xue Yanzhuo, Harbin Engineering University, China Representative of COSCO SHIPPING Lines (tbc)   “Training for Arctic conditions: developments and challenges” Mr. Sergey Aysinov, Head of Makarov Training Centre, Russia   "Navigating along the Northern Sea Route: Organization of SAR Services" Prof. Dimitrios Dalaklis, World Maritime University, Sweden   Panel discussion and Q&A   13:00 Lunch 14:30 Poster session and networking Showcasing R&D on Arctic shipping safety and environmental protection 16:30 End of day