Release date
Report on the Arctic and Antarctic Sea Ice Information Center (ASIC) Forum 2025
Exchange of opinions among participants
The Arctic Sea Ice Information Center (ASIC) Forum 2025 was held on , at the National Institute of Polar Research and online, with a total of 27 participants joining both onsite and online. The purpose of the forum was to exchange information and discuss how the sea-ice forecast products provided by the ASIC for the 2025 Arctic cruise of the oceanographic research vessel Mirai – conducted from the end of August to October 2025- were used in the field, as well as future directions for forecasting.
The forum began with presentations on sea-ice forecasting and information services for vessels provided by the ASIC and the Arctic and Antarctic Data archive System (ADS). These talks introduced ongoing forecasting efforts from various perspectives, including forecast range (short- to medium-term) and methodology (statistical and numerical approaches), as well as plans to develop AI-based prediction models in the future. This was followed by an introduction to the data distribution system used for the Mirai Arctic cruise, after which researchers onboard Mirai and ship operators explained how these data were utilized during the cruise, sharing the actual situation on site.
Additional presentations covered wave forecasting using high-resolution wave models and sea-ice thickness estimation using satellite data. There was also an analysis of the current status and future outlook for improving the accuracy of sea-ice concentration data derived from satellite-borne microwave radiometers.
During the Q&A and discussion sessions, many exchanges took place in which researchers and developers (information providers) and onboard personnel (information users) confirmed their respective needs. The 2025 cruise marked the final Arctic cruise of Mirai, which was retired that year. Its successor, the new Arctic research vessel Mirai II, will be equipped with icebreaking capabilities, enabling operations across a wider range of seasons and regions. The forum served as a valuable opportunity to discuss what kinds of information will be required for Mirai II and other vessels navigating ice-covered waters, and what research and development will be necessary to support those needs, contributing meaningfully to shaping the future activities of the ASIC.