An Introduction to the Polar Code

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An Introduction
POLAtoRthCe ODE
VICTOR OLERSKIY Member of the Board of Directors
at Russian Fishery LLC
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The Polar Code is the name commonly given to the
International Code for Ships Operating in
International Waters. This Code is an
international regime that establishes shipping
regulations in the two polar regions, the Arctic
and the Antarctic, principally relating to ship
design and the navigation of ice floes.
Risk Protection The objective of the Polar Code
is the protection of the two polar re- gions of
the world from maritime risks. It includes both
regulations and voluntary guidelines and stems
from previous documents from the International
Maritime Organisation (IMO). Code
Enforcement The Polar Code does not apply to
ships with sovereign immunity, to fishing
vessels or to vessels with less than 500GT. A
lot of the envi- ronmental protections included
are not yet in force in the Arctic, although
they are in the Antarc- tic, such as a MARPOL
regulation preventing Antarctic pollution by
heavy-grade oils. Arctic water pol- lution
prevention requirements in the Polar Code have
been criti- cised by many as being too
lax. Existing Treaties The Polar Code was
developed with existing treaties for environ-
mental protection and safety un- der
consideration. These include SOLAS and MARPOL.
Victor Olerskiy
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Victor Olerskiy
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Victor Olerskiy
Learn more about MARPOL by visiting the blog of
Victor Olerskiy, Russias previous
Deputy Minister for Transport.