ABS has released a Polar Code Advisory Note to provide an overview and introduction of the Polar Code to industry stakeholders following the formal adoption of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters and increased interest in arctic shipping routes.
The Polar Code is mandatory for all current and newbuild ships certificated under Chapter 1 of SOLAS and operating on international or domestic voyages within the IMO-defined boundaries of Arctic waters and the Antarctic area. These Polar waters tends to cover the areas north of 60°N or south of 60°S, although there are deviations for Arctic waters intended to include the entire southern exposure of Greenland while excluding Iceland and the Norwegian coastline.
Regulating and balancing traffic in these areas is crucial to ecosystem health, diminishing ice cover, and safety of crew and their ships.
ABS will provide support, including coordinating with flag administrations to best understand and clarify any varying interpretations within the Polar Code. They will present all industry stakeholders with the information they need for navigating Polar waters within regulatory demands in preparation of entry into force of the Polar Code on January 1, 2017.
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