Tag: Polar Code

WWF welcomed the approval of new Polar Code regulations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s 106th session of the Maritime Safety Committee held 2-11 November 2022 in London. These new Polar Code regulations will extend the rules on navigation and voyage planning to cover fishing vessels, private yachts and smaller cargo vessels operating in Arctic waters.

Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU) announced the launch of an inspection campaign to verify compliance with the requirements of Polar Code. The inspection campaign will be held from Monday 13 June to Friday 1 July 2022 (first period) and from Monday 1 August to Friday 19 August 2022 (second period).

During 2021, WWF’s Arctic Programme made review to identify gaps and challenges in implementing the Polar Code. It revealed that the code does not go far enough in preventing accidents or pollution that could have catastrophic consequences for marine life in Arctic waters.

In the latest IUMI Eye, Neil Roberts, member of IUMI's Policy Forum, provided an update on the 5th Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment Conference.

In May 2018, IMO MSC considered various proposals for safety measures for non-SOLAS ships operating in polar waters. Guidelines on Safety Measures were finalized by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction in February 2020 and were due to be adopted by MSC in May 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MSC did not meet in May 2020 and it is not known when the Guidelines on Safety Measures will be formally adopted at IMO.

Arctic Council came in contact with Heike Deggim, Director of IMO’s Maritime Safety Division and discussed about IMO’s interest in the Arctic region and how it engages with the Arctic Council and current projects that is working on.

As the advanced computer technology enables "second generation" intact stability criteria to be further developed, IMO's Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 7) meeting during 3-7 February, is expected to complete a comprehensive set of interim guidelines focused on this matter at hand.

The IMO's Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR), conducted its 7th session in 15-24 January 2020 and amongst major shipping issues, they issued a correspondence group to monitor potential new SOLAS chapters being added to the Polar Code.

The IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) held its 101st session from June 5 to 14, 2019. After its conclusion, the meeting decided on many important issues during this session. Among others, these include fuel quality and safety, maritime autonomous surface ships, and the approval and adoption of various instruments.

The Arctic Council’s Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum convened for the third time since its inception in 2017, in London from 3-4 June, under Iceland Chairmanship. The aim of the Forum is to support the effective implementation of IMO’s International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code).