ACI’s Arctic Shipping Summit 2026, taking place on 18–19 November 2026 in Montreal, Canada, examines the operational, commercial and regulatory realities shaping Arctic shipping activity today. As interest in Arctic trade routes, northern infrastructure development and resource projects continues to grow, industry discussion is increasingly shifting away from high-level strategic narratives toward a more practical question: what actually enables safe, reliable and commercially viable Arctic operations in practice. The conference brings together shipowners, operators, ports, coast guards, regulators, insurers, technology providers, infrastructure developers and Arctic specialists to examine how policy, vessel capability, infrastructure, data and operational decision-making combine to influence real outcomes on the water.

The agenda is structured around the practical conditions that determine whether Arctic operations can be delivered consistently and effectively. Discussions will examine where commercial activity is realistically developing across transit shipping, destination shipping and project cargo markets, alongside the infrastructure, logistics and investment requirements needed to support that growth. Sessions will explore how ports, fuel supply, icebreaking support and remote logistics networks influence operational reliability, while also assessing whether current vessel and icebreaker capacity is sufficient to meet growing demand across different Arctic regions and operating seasons.

A major focus throughout the conference is operational execution. Multiple sessions examine how operators make real-time decisions in Arctic conditions using ice, weather and hydrographic data, how masters and ice navigators balance safety against commercial pressure, and how vessel capability, crew expertise and operational judgement combine to determine outcomes. The programme also considers the practical application of technology, including navigation tools, ice information systems and onboard operational support technologies designed to improve visibility, planning and decision-making in Arctic environments. Rather than presenting technology as a replacement for operational expertise, discussions focus on how tools can better support crews operating in complex and rapidly changing conditions.

Alongside operational and technical discussions, Arctic Shipping Summit 2026 also examines the wider frameworks shaping Arctic shipping activity. Sessions explore how regulation translates into operational reality, how risk and responsibility are allocated across operators, charterers, insurers and governments, and how commercial decisions are affected by uncertainty around infrastructure, response capability and long-term investment viability. The conference will also address the role of Indigenous and community collaboration within Arctic operations, examining how local knowledge, long-term engagement and co-operation influence planning, safety, timing and operational success across different regions.

The event attracts a highly senior and cross-sector audience directly involved in Arctic shipping and northern operations. Previous editions have included representatives from shipowners, ice-class fleet operators, coast guards, ports, engineering firms, hydrographic organisations, insurers, classification societies, research institutions and Indigenous organisations, alongside senior operational, technical, commercial and policy stakeholders from across the Arctic shipping ecosystem.

Across two days of discussion and networking in Montreal, Arctic Shipping Summit 2026 provides a forum for the industry to examine what is currently working, where operational and infrastructure gaps remain, and how Arctic shipping can be delivered more safely, effectively and reliably in practice.