An International Code of Safety
for ships operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code)
In recent years, due to the
effect of global warming, polar ice caps are receding and during summer the
number of voyages across the north pole(the northern sea route) are increasing
year by year as there is a considerable saving in distance between US East
Coast/Canada/ Europe & Asia/ Pacific. Further, there is an increase in
maritime activity in the Polar Regions.
Considering the above, IMO has
adopted the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code)
and related amendments to make it mandatory under both the International Convention for the Safety of
Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
The Polar Code is expected to
enter into force on 1 January 2017. This marks a historic milestone in the
Organization’s work to protect ships and people aboard them, both seafarers and
passengers, in the harsh environment of the waters surrounding the two poles.
The Polar Code covers the full range of
design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue and
environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in the
inhospitable waters surrounding the two poles.
The Code will require ships
intending to operate in the defined waters of the Antarctic and Arctic to apply
for a Polar Ship Certificate, which would classify the vessel as Category A
ship -
ships designed for operation in polar waters at least in medium first-year
ice, which may include old ice inclusions; Category B ship - a ship not included in category A, designed
for operation in polar waters in at least thin first-year ice, which may
include old ice inclusions; or Category
C ship -
a ship designed to operate in open water or in ice conditions less
severe than those included in Categories A and B.
The issuance of a certificate
would require an assessment, taking into account the anticipated range of
operating conditions and hazards the ship may encounter in the polar waters.
The assessment would include information on identified operational limitations,
and plans or procedures or additional safety equipment necessary to mitigate
incidents with potential safety or environmental consequences.
Ships will need to carry a
Polar Water Operational Manual, to provide the Owner, Operator, Master and crew
with sufficient information regarding the ship's operational capabilities and
limitations in order to support their decision-making process.
The Polar Code highlights the
potential 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,
operations, training, and search and rescue, relevant to ships operating in
Arctic and Antarctic waters.
Thus, it would be observed
that these voyages to the Polar Regions are increasing and so this is going to
pose as a new challenge for the shipping industry, companies, ships and
seafarers. Further, as India is major manpower provider to the world fleet our
seafarers, who are, or likely to serve on such vessels making voyages to the
Polar Regions would need to be adequately trained in compliance with the Polar
Code.
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