The Polar covers the full range of design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue and environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in waters surrounding the two poles. The Code and SOLAS amendments were adopted during the 94th session of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC).
Ships trading in the polar regions already have to comply will all relevant international standards adopted by IMO, but the newly adopted SOLAS chapter XIV ‘safety measures for ships operating in polar water’ adds additional requirements, by making the Polar Code mandatory.
The Code highlights the possible hazards of operating in polar regions, including ice, remoteness and rapidly changing and severe weather conditions, and provides goals and functional requirements in relation to ship design, construction, equipment and more, relevant to ships operating in Arctic and Antarctic waters.
As well as mandatory provisions, recommendations are also included in Part1-B.
IMO says the expected date of entry into force of SOLAS amendments is 1 January 2017, under the tacit acceptance of the procedure. It will apply to new ships built after that date. Ships built before that date will be required to meet the relevant requirements of the Polar Code by the first intermediate or renewal survey, whichever occurs first, after 1 January 2018.
Since the Polar Code contains both safety and environment-related provisions, it will be mandatory under both SOLAS and MARPOL.