Even if many of the ice-classed vessels built in recent years never see service in frozen waters, there will be a growing demand for suitably trained navigators and other crew able to cope with operating ships in such conditions. This year the harshest winter for many years in the Baltic saw large numbers of ships trapped for several days awaiting icebreakers to force their way through to provide assistance. This highlighted the fact that winter conditions in some of the world's most important trading areas are highly variable, even if there is a warming climate trend.
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