With the increased accessibility of the Arctic waters, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have delineated five new meteorological and navigational areas in the Arctic.
10 March 2011: Through the joint efforts of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the World-Wide Navigational Warning System has been expanded to the Arctic regions.
The IMO, IHO and WMO have been working to strengthen early warning systems for ships in the Arctic regions over the past decade, as Arctic waters have become more accessible. As part of this work, the IMO delineated five new Arctic navigational areas, and the WMO delineated five new meteorological areas in June 2010. A ceremony to mark these new delineations was held in London, UK, in March 2011. The responsibility for the navigational and meteorological areas will be divided between Canada, Norway and the Russian Federation. [IMO Press Release]