Tag: Polar Code

IMO’s Polar Code aims to ensure that ships operating in the Arctic and Antarctic areas consider extremes of temperature and make sure critical equipment remains operational. Draft guidance for navigation and communication equipment intended for use on ships operating in polar waters is expected to be finalized by the current session of the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue.

Is Polar Code enough to ensure safety & environmental protection of seafarers, passengers and Arctic people? The majority (74%) of the participants in a quick SAFETY4SEA Poll replied no, while just 26% are satisfied with the application of the Code. But what lies behind this negative perception toward Polar Code?

Discussing how to move forward with developing possible mandatory and recommendatory measures for ships operating in polar waters which are not currently covered by the Polar Code, IMO's MSC 100 agreed on a roadmap which could see revisions to SOLAS and/or the Polar Code considered for adoption in 2022.

IMO MSC 100 completed its milestone 100th session on 7 December. MSC 100 had a busy agenda encompassing maritime autonomous surface ships, fatigue guidance for seafarers, polar shipping, goal-based standards and of course the 2020 sulphur cap.

The northern Bering Sea and Bering Strait region has been an ecological, cultural, and economic center for Yup’ik, Cup’ik, St. Lawrence Island Yupik, and Inupiaq peoples for millennia. Yet, recently, a combination of factors, including less sea ice and more trade and resource development, has resulted to an increased vessel traffic in the region led by huge cargo vessels, tugs, and research vessels, and is expected to continue growing.

The change in ice conditions is opening the high Arctic as a trade route, fishing ground and potential tourism destination, but more infrastructure support is required to facilitate the provision of adequate insurance, says IUMI in a new position paper.

From 1st of July 2018, amendments related to revised training requirements for Masters and Deck Officers onboard ships operating in Polar Water have come into force. Namely, the STCW has been amended with a new regulation V/4 , according to which, two main trainings are defined: the basic and the advance training.

USCG announced availability of a policy letter titled “Guidelines for Qualifications of Personnel for Issuing STCW Endorsements for Basic and Advanced Polar Code Operations.” This provides guidance for the issuance of Merchant Mariner Credential endorsements in accordance with STCW Convention as amended for Polar Code.

Denmark's Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs published an Executive Order describing the training and qualification requirements for masters, officers and other personnel who are part of the guard on the bridge for ships operating in polar areas. The Executive Order will enter into force on 1 July 2018.

Hondius meets Lloyd’s Register demands for ice-strengthened cruise vessels and exceeds the requirements of the Polar Code as adopted by the IMO. The ship is designed for exploratory voyages that provide first-hand contact with the Arctic and Antarctica. The ship is planned to start operations during the summer of 2019.