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This article presents a novel simulation tool for the analysis of winter navigation operations in the Baltic Sea in the context of the Finnish-Swedish Winter Navigation System (FSWNS). The aim of the tool is to simulate the performance of the FSWNS under various potential future operating scenarios and thereby support decision making in matters affecting the operation and development of the FSWNS, for instance, in terms of icebreaking resources and ice class regulations. To this end, the tool considers key performance factors and characteristics of the FSWNS, such as the prevailing ice conditions, the ice-going capability and other technical characteristics of the relevant merchant vessels, the availability of icebreaking resources, and the features of specific icebreaking operations (e.g., convoys). The tool would allow testing of several "what-if" scenarios, answering questions related to optimal engine power for safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly navigation and the optimal scheduling of icebreakers for effective and cost-efficient assistance missions.

Various national maritime authorities and international organizations show strong interest to implement risk management processes to decision making for shipping accident prevention in waterway areas. There is a recurring need for approaches, models, and tools for identifying, analysing, and evaluating risks of shipping accidents, and for strategies for preventively managing these in (inter-)organizational settings. This article presents a comprehensive review of academic work in this research area, aiming to identify patterns, trends, and gaps, serving as a guide for future research and development, with a particular focus on the Baltic Sea Region. To understand the links between research in the Baltic Sea area and the global community, a bibliometric analysis is performed, focusing on identifying dominant narratives and social networks in the research community. Articles from the Baltic Sea area are subsequently analysed more in-depth, addressing issues like the nature of the academic work done, the risk management processes involved, and the underlying accident theories. From the results, patterns in the historical evolution of the research domain are detected, and insights about current trends gained, which are used to identify future avenues for research.