During IMO Sub-Committee on Human Element , 2-6 February 2015
Requirements for the training and certification of personnel serving on board ships operating in Polar waters were agreed by the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW), when it met for its second session.
The draft amendments provide training and certification requirements for officers and crew serving on board ships operating in polar waters in chapter V of the STCW Convention and Code to reflect the training requirements in the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code), The STCW amendments will be forwarded to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for approval and subsequent adoption.
The Polar Code was adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee at its 94th session (MSC 94) in November 2014. The Polar Code and related SOLAS (and MARPOL) amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2017.
Furher information on the Polar Code may be found on the below SAFETY4SEA articles:
- IMO adopts mandatory Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters
- IMO new Infographic explains what Polar Code means for ship safety
Source: IMO