IMO Polar Code Information
IMO has adopted the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) by means of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).The Polar Code entered into force on 1 January 2017 and is is intended to cover the full range of shipping-related matters relevant to navigation in waters surrounding the two poles – ship design, construction and equipment; operational and training concerns; search and rescue; and, equally important, the protection of the unique environment and eco-systems of the polar regions.
The following explanatory graphics and videos are replicated from the IMO website. Further important information is detailed on the Polar Code section of IMO's website, including information on the second phase of the Polar Code.
IMO in the polar environment: the Polar Code explained:
IMO in the polar environment: Search and Rescue
Guidance on Surveys:
- Note IMO Circular 16 December 2016 (MSC.1/Circ.1562)
Guidance on methodologies for assessing operational capabilities and limitations in ice
- Note IMO Circular 6 June 2016 (MSC.1/Circ.1519)
Interim guidelines on life-saving appliances and arrangements for ships operating in polar waters.
- Note IMO Circular 26 June 2019 (MSC.1/Circ.1614)
Training of Seafarers
Resolution MSC.416(97), adopted on 25 November 2016, containing amendments to the STCW Convention, 1978 , including amended regulation I/1.1 adding definitions of “Polar code” and “Polar waters”, amended regulation I/11 requiring continued seagoing service for masters and officers for the continued professional competence for ships operating in polar waters, amendments to chapter V of the STCW Convention (Regulation V/4 on “Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters and deck officers on ships operating in polar waters”).
This led to the development of IMO model course on Basic and Advanced Training for ships operating in polar waters (see image).
Further information on Polar Code (second phase):
- Resolution A.1137(31), adopted on 16 January 2020, Interim safety measures for ships not certified under the SOLAS Convention operating in polar waters
- Guidance for navigation and communication equipment intended for use on ships operating in polar waters (MSC.1/Circ.1612, June 2019). See Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), 101 session, 5-14 June 2019.
IMO Routeing Measures
The practice of following predetermined routes for shipping originated in 1898 and was adopted, for reasons of safety, by shipping companies operating passenger ships across the North Atlantic. Related provisions were subsequently incorporated into the original SOLAS Convention.
Traffic separation schemes and other ships' routeing systems have been established in most of the major congested, shipping areas of the world, and the number of collisions and groundings has often been dramatically reduced.
IMO's responsibility for ships' routeing is enshrined in SOLAS chapter V, which recognizes the Organization as the only international body for establishing such systems.
IMO Website for Routing Measure, including weather routeing measures.
IMO adopts first shipping routes into the Arctic - Bering Sea/Bering Strait (Gard)
Polar Ship Certificates
SOLAS ships operating in polar waters require a Polar Ship Certificate. This is a new statutory certificate issued by a vessel’s flag administration or its authorized representatives.
The Certificate attests that the ship complies with the ship safety requirements in Part I-A of the Polar Code.
To obtain a Polar Ship Certificate, the shipowner must:
- conduct an operational (risk) assessment of the ship and its intended operations in polar waters;
- prepare a Polar Water Operational Manual (PWOM) specific to the ship, its arrangement and its intended operation in polar waters;
- have the ship surveyed to verify its compliance with the relevant requirements of the Polar Code; and
- apply to its flag administration or authorized representative for the Polar Ship Certificate.
PAME has invited Arctic States and Observer States to submit to PAME information on Polar Ship Certificates that have been issued by or on behalf of their maritime administrations since their last submission of such information. This information is posted to this section in the Web-Portal.
As of 4 December 2023, Transport Canada and its recognized Classification Societies, under the authority of the Government of Canada, have issued the following Polar Ship Certificates in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
Among them 20 Certificates has been issued for Category A ships (GT 473016), 22 20 Certificates - for Category B ships (GT 140544) and 19 Certificates - for Category C ships (GT 75655), The type of ships, for which have been issued the Polar Ship Certificates: general cargo ships, oil tankers, passenger ships, icebreakers, salvage ships, supply ships, tugs, research ships, reefer ships, dredger ships.
The ships, for which has been issued the Polar Ship Certificates, have different ice classes of RS, which is equivalent to Category A, B and C ships as its defined by Polar Code and which are operated in polar water. Ships, which have not ice class or ice strengthening, have been issued the Polar Ship Certificates as for Category C ships with the relevant restriction of navigation (open water or separate ice).
IMO Documents Referencing the Forum
Various IMO documents have referenced the Forum over the years. This section lists them.IMO Documents
- 120th meeting by the Council: Relations with intergovernmental organizations: Cooperation with the Arctic Council (note by the Secretary-General)
- 122th meeting by the Council: Relations with intergovernmental organizations: Cooperation with the Arctic Council (note by the IMO Secretary-General)
- 125th meeting by the Council: Relations with intergovernmental organizations - IMO activities and contribution to the work of the Arctic Council (note by the IMO Secretary General)
- Circular Letter No.4009 - Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (by IMO Secretariat)
- Circular Letter No.4208 - Fourth Annual Meeting Of The Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (by IMO Secretariat)
- Circular Letter No.4460 - Fifth Annual Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (16 To 18 November 2021)
- IMO Maritime Safety Committee - Information document 101-INF.18 - Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (submitted by Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russian Federation, Sweden and United States)
- IMO Maritime Safety Committee - Meeting document 104-17-7 - Implementation of IMO's Polar Code (submitted by WWF)
- IMO Maritime Safety Committee - Meeting document 104-17-12: (submitted by Friends of the Earth and Pacific Environment)
Annual Forum Meetings (2017 - present)
The Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum convenes annual meetings.- Dates: 5-6 June
- Location: Lloyds Register, London
- Meeting summary
- Meeting website
- Dates: 14-15 May
- Location: Irish Cultural Centre, London
- Meeting summary
- Meeting website
- Dates: 3-4 June
- Location: United States Embassy, London
- Meeting Summary
- Meeting website
- Dates: 24-25 November
- Location: Online virtual meeting
- Meeting summary
- Meeting website
- Dates: 16-18 November
- Location: Online virtual meeting
- Meeting summary
- Meeting website
How to Submit Information to the Web-Portal
To submit information for the web-portal, click this link and fill in the form. The information will be reviewed and added to the web-portal consequently - and the submitter contacted via e-mail.Publications and Presentations
- Presentation on the Forum (Michael Kingston and Hjalti Hreinsson) - 2 October 2018, PAME Plenary Meeting, Vladivostok, Russian Federation
- Rules are one thing. Implementation another (Michael Kingston on how the Arctic Shipping Best Practices Information Forum will assist in the harmonised implementation of The Polar Code), Tanker Shipping and Trade, Riviera Media, 11 December 2017.
Covid-19 Information
The COVID-19 pandemic has significant impacts on the shipping industry and on seafarers themselves, as noted by IMO in this website with details on COVID-19 and shipping.
Media References
Various media articles have referenced the Forum over the years. This section lists them, please send further articles to the PAME Secretariat (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).Media References as of 8 November 2021
- The Arctic Council, Spotlight on safe and environmentally sound Arctic shipping with record attendance at the 5th annual meeting of the Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum, (Nov. 19, 2021) (describing the events and presenters for the fifth annual meeting).
- The Arctic, Russia to actively discuss Northern Sea Route at global venues (March 31, 2021) (citing the Forum’s steps to promote Arctic navigation)
- World Meteorological Organization, WMO Services for Polar Waters – collaboration with the Arctic Council (Dec. 2020) (describing the most recent Arctic Consensus Statement on the Seasonal Climate Outlook and regional climate summary, considering the recommendations of the first WMO-IMO International Symposium on Extreme Maritime Weather (2019))
- IMO, Sharing best practices for safer Arctic shipping (Nov. 30, 2020) (explaining the development of safety measures for ships not currently covered by the Polar Code)
- Safety4Sea, Arctic Shipping Forum meets to promote effective implementation of Polar Code (June 12, 2019) (highlighting the importance of the collaboration between the Forum and IMO, specifically noting IMO’s accreditation as an Arctic Council Observer)
- Anchorage Daily News, Alaskans lead the U.S. forward in the Arctic (May 21, 2019) (Alaska describes its participation in addressing Arctic issues, including its role as a subject matter expert on the Forum)
- The Maritime Executive, Arctic Council Launches Shipping Database (Feb. 9, 2019) (generally announcing the launch of the forum's web portal to assist in implementation of the IMO's Polar Code)
- SEC Wire, Chamber of Shipping of America President and CEO Kathy Metcalf, Prepared Testimony Before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee, (December 6, 2018) (President and CEO of the Chamber of Shipping of America discussing Arctic governance issues, citing the value of the Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum)
- IISD SDG Knowledge Hub, Arctic in Focus: Report, Meetings Focus on Adaptation Efforts in the Region (May 31, 2018) (detailing the features of the web portal)
- NewsPress, A look ahead: The Arctic Council in 2018 (Feb. 6, 2018) (Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials describing the Arctic Council’s goals for 2018, specifically noting the Forum’s effort to facilitate information exchange among the Forum's members)
- High North News, The shipping industry and the member states of the Arctic Council have established a new forum for shipping in the Arctic (Sept. 6, 2017) (describing Arctic State support for the Forum to facilitate secure and environmentally friendly shipping in the High North)
- Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators, AECO Presentation at the Arctic Shipping Best Practices Information Forum in London (June 14, 2017) (detailing AECO’s support for the Forum, highlighting the expedition cruise industry’s collaborative approach to industry guidelines and standards)
- Centre for Research & Innovation at NMCI, NMCI takes part in the Arctic Council’s 4th Meeting of the Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (undated)
Ongoing Projects Related to the Polar Code
Please send information about ongoing projects to the PAME Secretariat (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).Implementation of the Polar Code (PAME)
The adoption of the Polar Code was a first step towards ensuring safe and sustainable shipping in the Arctic. In order to ensure the success of the Polar Code there is a need to work towards facilitating, where applicable, consistent interpretation of the Code. This project build off a survey submitted during the 2019-2021 PAME Work Plan period. It will convene a correspondence group of Arctic State Polar Code subject matter experts to analyze the survey results, and consider developing a paper containing Polar Code interpretations for possible submission to the IMO.
More on the project here.
A presentation by Turid Stemre on the project is available here (from the 5th meeting of the Forum)
Project of thematic fact sheets on PAME's Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (France)
France, as an Observer State to the Arctic Council, is coordinating a project on best practices for navigation in the Arctic. It will coordinate the creation and publication of short factsheets on the Polar Code written by each ice navigation training center volunteering to participate in this project. These sheets will be added to the "Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum" website.
The map to the right maps the training centers identified as a part of this project.
Port Hawksbury N-É (Public)
(Fabian.lambert@mi.mun.ca) -
(Christopher.Hearn@ mi.mun.ca)
(anthony.patterson@ virtualmarine.ca)
vinil@ glasgowmaritimeacademy.com
Using PAME's Arctic Ship Traffic Database, ASTD, PAME has produced a short report on trends in shipping in the Polar Code area 2013-2019. For example, the Report shows that during this six-year period, the number of ships entering the Arctic grew by 25%, and the distance sailed by ships in the Arctic increased by 75%.
The Forum Coordinating Committee would like to sincerely thank all those who have supported the Forum's development.
To date, the Forum has been maintained by modest financial contributions, and in-kind contributions from the Arctic States. To continue to sustain and strengthen the Forum and meet the expressed interest and need of Arctic shipping stakeholders, additional funds are necessary. Financial contributions may be made by contacting the PAME Secretariat at pameshippingforum@pame.is.
In particular, the Forum Coordinating Committee would like to thank the following contributors.