A new study published in Cold Regions Science and Technology by Finnish researchers uses historical data and mathematical models to quantify the risk of vessels becoming stuck, or beset, in sea ice in the Arctic. The study tracked vessels using their Automatic Identification System (AIS) data and overlaid their paths with satellite-based ice data. The researchers then collected data on the vessels' ice class, the time of year, sea ice concentration, the distance the ships traveled, and the geographic area along the Northern Sea Route (NSR). The analysis shows that a vessel's ice class and the level of sea ice concentration are the two most important factors in determining the probability of a ship becoming beset in ice. The study's authors suggest that their new research may help inform future risk analysis and risk management of Arctic shipping, taking into account the interplay of multiple factors such as a vessel's ice-class and sea ice concentration.