Navigation bridge crews operating in the Arabian Gulf, the South China Sea, and the Arctic face solar and climate conditions that sit at opposite extremes. In the Gulf, ambient temperatures regularly exceed 45 degrees Celsius and solar radiation levels rank among the highest recorded anywhere in the world. In the South China Sea, a year-round high UV index combines with intense humidity to accelerate material degradation. In Arctic operations, the sun sits low on the horizon for much of the year, producing intense horizontal glare at the exact angle most likely to enter bridge windows, while sub-zero temperatures place mechanical and material demands on every component on deck.
SOLASOLV® anti-glare screens have been supplied to vessels operating across all three regions and have been manufactured to the same independently Type Approved standard since 1975. This article sets out how SOLASOLV® screens are designed to perform consistently in each of these environments, why climate conditions matter for navigation bridge anti-glare screen specification, and which vessel types operating in extreme climates depend on SOLASOLV® screens.
Why Climate Conditions Matter for Navigation Bridge Anti-Glare Screens
The performance of a navigation bridge anti-glare screen is not solely a function of how well it reduces glare under ideal laboratory conditions. It also depends on how the materials behave across a sustained operational temperature range, how the screen performs at different solar angles, and how well the assembly resists degradation from humidity, salt air, and UV exposure over time.
A screen that warps, discolours, or develops surface distortion in extreme heat or cold does not merely look poor. It compromises the outward visibility of the navigation bridge, which is a direct SOLAS compliance concern. IMO SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 22 requires that navigation bridge fittings do not impair the officer of the watch from obtaining a clear, undistorted external view. A fitting that degrades in service can create a compliance failure even if it was correctly approved at the point of installation.
For detailed technical data sheets and Type Approval documentation, visit the technical information page.
Arabian Gulf Operations — Extreme Heat and Solar Intensity
The Arabian Gulf is one of the most demanding operating environments for navigation bridge equipment in the world. Summer ambient temperatures regularly exceed 45 degrees Celsius on deck, and direct solar radiation intensity is among the highest globally. The Gulf serves as a primary operating region for LNG carriers, crude oil tankers, FPSOs, and a wide range of offshore support and construction vessels. Navigation bridge crews on these vessels face prolonged exposure to intense solar glare during daylight hours.
Heat Rejection Performance
SOLASOLV® screens reject up to 87 per cent of solar heat at the window surface. In a high-intensity solar environment such as the Arabian Gulf, this significantly reduces the thermal load entering the bridge through glazed windows, contributing to a cooler working environment for crew and reducing the demand on the vessel’s air conditioning systems. Lower bridge temperatures also reduce the risk of heat-related fatigue in the crew.
UV Protection
In the Arabian Gulf, UV radiation levels are consistently high year-round. SOLASOLV® screens reject up to 99 per cent of UV radiation, providing significant protection for bridge crew from UV-related health effects and reducing UV-induced degradation to bridge equipment, chart materials, and surfaces exposed to direct sunlight through bridge windows.
Material Stability in High Temperatures
SOLASOLV® screens are manufactured from materials specified for marine use and are designed to maintain their structural integrity and dimensional stability across the high operating temperatures encountered in Gulf operations. The screens do not warp, delaminate, or develop surface distortion under sustained thermal load. This is a critical performance requirement in an environment where equipment surface temperatures can reach extreme levels under direct solar radiation.
South China Sea Operations — High Solar Intensity, High Humidity
The South China Sea carries some of the world’s highest volumes of commercial maritime traffic. Bulk carriers, container vessels, tankers, and passenger ferries operating on routes through this region face a year-round combination of high UV index, elevated ambient humidity, and significant salt air exposure. These conditions present both optical performance and material durability challenges for navigation bridge fittings.
Glare Reduction
At the equatorial and near-equatorial latitudes of the South China Sea, the sun reaches high solar angles that deliver intense direct glare into bridge windows during a large portion of the daylight hours. SOLASOLV® screens reduce solar glare by up to 93 per cent while maintaining a completely clear, undistorted outward view. In one of the world’s busiest and most navigationally demanding sea regions, maintaining full outward visibility while controlling glare is a direct safety requirement.
Visibility Integrity
Distortion of the outward view through a navigation bridge window is a safety hazard in any operating environment. In the South China Sea, where traffic density and navigational complexity are high, any impairment of the officer of the watch’s ability to assess the external situation clearly and accurately is particularly serious. SOLASOLV® screens are designed to deliver glare and heat control with zero optical distortion, preserving the integrity of the outward view at all times.
Corrosion Resistance
The combination of high humidity and salt air in tropical maritime environments is corrosive to materials that are not specifically specified for marine use. SOLASOLV® screens are manufactured from materials tested for use in the marine environment. Roller mechanisms, mounting hardware, and screen frames are specified to resist degradation in the conditions encountered during continuous operation in equatorial sea lanes.
Arctic Operations — Low Sun Angles and Extreme Cold
Arctic operations present a distinct set of solar and thermal challenges. For much of the year, the sun sits at a low angle on the horizon, producing intense horizontal glare that enters bridge windows at a height and angle that many conventional anti-glare solutions are not designed to address. Offshore construction vessels, platform supply vessels, research vessels, and LNG carriers using northern route passages all operate in this environment.
Low-Angle Glare Performance
Low-angle solar glare, particularly in the long Arctic summer where the sun does not set for extended periods, creates sustained glare exposure at the angles most directly aligned with forward bridge windows. SOLASOLV® screen geometry is designed to address glare across the full range of solar angles encountered in commercial marine operations, including the low elevations characteristic of high-latitude regions. Crews operating in the Barents Sea, the Norwegian Sea, and on trans-Arctic LNG routes have used SOLASOLV® screens to manage this specific challenge.
Cold Temperature Performance
In sub-zero operating environments, materials that are not specified for low-temperature performance can become brittle, lose dimensional stability, or fail mechanically. SOLASOLV® screens use materials that retain flexibility and structural integrity at the low temperatures encountered in Arctic operations. Roller mechanisms are designed to function reliably in cold conditions, without the seizing or stiffening that can affect assemblies specified to a lower temperature range.
UV Protection Year-Round
UV radiation at high latitudes is often underestimated. Even in winter, UV levels in Arctic regions can be significant, and during the Arctic summer, prolonged daylight means cumulative UV exposure is high. SOLASOLV® screens maintain their 99 per cent UV rejection performance year-round, providing consistent protection for crew and bridge equipment regardless of season.
A screen that performs correctly in South Shields in October must perform equally well in the Arabian Gulf in August and in the Barents Sea in January. SOLASOLV® screens are specified by operators across all three environments for the same reason: consistent, Type Approved performance.
Performance Comparison Across Climate Zones
| Climate Zone | Key Challenge | SOLASOLV® Response | Performance Figure |
| Arabian Gulf | Extreme solar heat and intense radiation year-round | Solar heat rejection at the window surface; UV protection for crew and equipment; material stability in high ambient temperatures | Up to 87% heat rejection; up to 99% UV rejection |
| South China Sea | High solar angles, intense humidity, heavy maritime traffic | Glare reduction without optical distortion; corrosion-resistant materials for tropical marine environments | Up to 93% glare reduction; zero optical distortion |
| Arctic | Low-angle horizontal glare; sub-zero temperatures; winter UV | Low-angle glare geometry; cold-rated materials and mechanisms; year-round UV protection | Up to 93% glare reduction; UV protection year-round |
| All zones | Consistent compliance with SOLAS navigation bridge visibility requirements | Simultaneous Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA; independently tested to IMO performance standards | Type Approved by all four major classification societies |
Vessel Types Operating in Extreme Climates That Use SOLASOLV® Screens
SOLASOLV® screens have been supplied to more than 20,000 vessels across 108 countries. The following vessel types routinely operate in extreme climate regions and use SOLASOLV® screens on their navigation bridges. For the full range of sectors served, see the Solar Solve marine sector page and the Solar Solve offshore sector page.
- LNG carriers — operating on Arabian Gulf export routes and trans-Arctic northern passages, where both extreme heat and extreme cold must be managed across the same vessel’s operational life
- Crude oil tankers — heavily concentrated in the Arabian Gulf, where sustained high solar radiation and ambient temperatures are the defining environmental condition
- FPSOs and floating production units — stationed at fixed offshore locations in tropical and equatorial regions including the South China Sea, where long-term material durability in heat and humidity is critical
- Offshore construction vessels — active in both tropical and Arctic regions, requiring equipment specified for the full range of operating temperatures encountered across global deployment
- Platform supply vessels — operating in support of both tropical and Arctic offshore infrastructure, often moving between extreme climate regions within a single operational season
- Bulk carriers and container vessels — transiting the South China Sea on major international trade routes, where high UV and humidity are year-round considerations
- Passenger ferries and cruise ships — operating across a wide range of latitudes, requiring consistent performance from tropical ferry routes to northern European and Arctic cruise itineraries
Frequently Asked Questions
Do SOLASOLV® screens perform differently in hot and cold climates?
SOLASOLV® screens are manufactured from materials specified for the full range of temperatures encountered in commercial marine operations, from the extreme heat of Arabian Gulf summers to the sub-zero conditions of Arctic operations. The screens maintain their dimensional stability, optical clarity, and mechanical performance across this range. The underlying glare reduction, heat rejection, and UV performance figures apply across all climate zones.
Can SOLASOLV® screens handle the humidity conditions in the South China Sea?
Yes. SOLASOLV® screens are manufactured from materials tested for use in the marine environment, including high-humidity and high salt-air conditions. The screens, roller mechanisms, and mounting hardware are specified to resist corrosion and material degradation under the sustained humidity and salt air exposure encountered in equatorial and tropical maritime operations.
What makes SOLASOLV® screens suitable for Arctic low-angle glare?
In Arctic operations, the sun sits at a low angle on the horizon for extended periods, creating intense horizontal glare that enters bridge windows directly. SOLASOLV® screens are designed to reduce glare across the full range of solar angles encountered in commercial marine operations. Crews operating on northern routes, offshore Arctic platforms, and in the Barents Sea use SOLASOLV® screens specifically for their ability to manage low-angle glare without compromising outward visibility.
Are SOLASOLV® screens Type Approved for use in all flag state jurisdictions?
SOLASOLV® screens hold simultaneous Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA, which are the four leading classification societies recognised across the widest range of flag states and operators. This means SOLASOLV® screens can be specified for vessels operating under virtually any commercial flag without the need to check approval compatibility with the vessel’s classification society. Full Type Approval documentation is available from the Solar Solve downloads page.
