On the strategy of sea-ice service delivery - an Australian Antarctic perspective

Sea-ice service delivery is a crucial aspect of safe and efficient shipping operations in ice covered waters. The Australian Antarctic sea-ice service is currently a research-based effort, supported by the Australian Research Council. It consists of near real time satellite data delivery to clients and bespoke expert analysis of sea-ice conditions delivered as now-casting reports. Clients consist of the Australian Antarctic Division (RSV Aurora Australis operations) and the Australian Marine National Facility (RV Investigator operations), other national programs operating in East Antarctica (including China, France, Japan, US and New Zealand) as well as commercial fishing operators. We will present the procedures of Australian sea-ice service delivery, the user-defined needs which require tailored solutions and the requirements identified for a sustainable, long-term future of such service, which include, but are not limited to, incorporation of probabilistic short- to medium-term sea-ice forecasts and seasonal outlooks, training and pre-departure briefings of ship’s crews as well as strategic funding and staffing of the service.