ARICE´s overall aim is to provide Europe with better capacities for marine-based research in the ice-covered Arctic Ocean. ARICE aims at reaching this goal with the existing polar fleet by: 1) Networking (developing strategies to ensure optimal use of existing polar research vessels at a European and international level, working towards an International Arctic Research Icebreaker Consortium which will share and jointly fund operational ship time on the available RIs); 2) Trans-national access to 6 key European and international RIs for European scientists, based on scientific excellence of submitted proposals; and 3) Joint research activities, improving RIs’ services by partnering with maritime industry on a “ships and platforms of opportunity” programme and by exploring new technologies.
