Arctic Operations Symposium 2026

October 28-29, 2026

Maritime Institute of Technology And Graduate Studies (MITAGS), Baltimore, MD.

• Without the capability (ships, comms, aircraft, underwater tools) to operate in the Arctic, we as a nation will just be spectators.
• One of the most challenging aspects of the Arctic is achieving sustained presence in a harsh and remote environment.
• The United States and other nations have a duty/responsibility to protect the right of free navigation, natural resources and a critically sensitive environment.

For hundreds of years, the Arctic has been strategically important. Changes to the Arctic's environmental, geopolitical, and operational landscape continue at an increasingly rapid pace. This has significantly increased national interest in these regions and for the United States, and resulted [finally] in large investments in ice capable vessels and icebreakers.

There are currently more than 100 icebreakers from more than 15 countries operating or under construction for future missions in the Arctic.

ASNE is honored to host a very timely professional Arctic Operations Symposium 2026.

A day and a half to discuss naval engineering developments, operating challenges, and advancements in technology and innovation that directly support the nation’s capability to operate, provide sustained presence and perform multiple missions including protection of these regions!

Design-Build contracts for Icebreakers and Ice Capable ships have been awarded in the United States and Canada as well as elsewhere in the world. These new vessels will replace aging vessels and provide increased multi-mission capability that will use present day technology.

The Arctic remain as our last frontiers and require enormous and persistent national effort to deliver the capability required to continuously operate and execute the many missions needed by our nation. This vast, volatile and harsh operating environment necessitates innovative approaches to overcoming the many challenges inherent in the Arctic environment. Even reliable communications is a significant challenge.

The Arctic are challenging multi-mission environments that demands collaboration across the US Government, industry, academia and international cooperation to address mutually beneficial interests such as commerce, environmental stewardship, defense, natural resource management, safety at sea, and scientific study.

Past ASNE Symposia have been true international events that have not only brought together the world's best engineers and leaders, but have also increased the development of partnerships and relationships in both the private and public sectors.

Please mark your calendars for October 28-29, 2026 to join us for this exciting and relevant professional symposium.