Ice Pressure Retrieval for Sea Ice Services
The Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC) is proud to announce that its project ICEPRESS has been accepted into the ESA Arctic Phi-Lab program. Together with partners C-CORE, Polar View, and Drift+Noise Polar Services, NERSC will develop the world’s first operational sea ice pressure forecasting service, a long-awaited tool that promises to make ship navigation in Arctic waters significantly safer.
Project Overview
When ships sail through ice-covered waters, one of the most important — and least visible — factors is the pressure within the ice itself. Wind and ocean currents constantly push ice floes together, and the forces that build up between them can make passage difficult or even dangerous. High ice pressure can slow vessels down, trap them in place, or damage their hulls. Yet today, captains and ice navigators have no direct way of knowing where this pressure is building.
Why This Matters
- Safety at Sea: Ice pressure is one of the biggest unseen risks for ships in polar waters. Knowing where pressure is building helps crews avoid getting trapped and reduces the chance of damage to vessels and injury to people on board.
- Smarter, Greener Routes: Ships that can steer around areas of high pressure spend less time stuck and burn less fuel. This means lower operating costs and fewer emissions in the sensitive Arctic environment.
- Supporting Arctic Communities and Industry: Fishing boats, tourism vessels, supply ships, research expeditions, and commercial cargo all depend on safe passage through ice. Reliable pressure information helps everyone plan better, from individual captains to national ice services.
Societal and Commercial Impact
The project team expects ICEPRESS to reduce delays in heavy ice by 5–10% and cut ice-related damage claims by 10–15%, generating real value for commercial shipping, tourism, fisheries, research vessels, and national ice services alike. Combined with the safety and environmental gains, this makes ICEPRESS both a practical tool for today’s operators and a strategic investment in the future of Arctic activity.
Strong Partnerships and Support
ICEPRESS brings together four organizations with complementary strengths. NERSC leads the scientific modelling and sea ice physics. C-CORE contributes high-resolution satellite-based ice drift products. Polar View distributes data to ship operators worldwide through its widely used navigation platforms, and Drift+Noise delivers the forecasts through its commercial IcySea polar navigation software. The project will also collaborate closely with national ice services, the International Ice Charting Working Group (IICWG), and partner operators carrying out onboard trials on Arctic vessels such as Kronprins Haakon.
About the Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC)
The Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center is a Norwegian research institute specialising in the physical and biological conditions of the Arctic, the oceans, and the global climate. NERSC leads the Arctic component of the Copernicus Marine Service and develops neXtSIM, one of the world’s most advanced sea ice models for forecasting drift and deformation. With decades of experience in remote sensing, climate research, and operational forecasting, NERSC is uniquely positioned to lead the development of the world’s first operational ice pressure service.