IMO Film: The Polar Code Explained

Credit: IMO

The International Maritime Organization has released a new visit explaining the significance of the Polar Code and its impact on shipping.

The Polar Code entered into force on 1 January 2017, setting out mandatory standards that cover the full range of design, construction, equipment, operational, training and environmental protection matters for ships making polar voyages. These new rules go above and beyond existing IMO requirements such as those governing prevention of pollution from ships (MARPOL) and safety of life at sea (SOLAS).

To make the new film, an IMO team visited the Ocean Diamond on a voyage to Antarctica to find out at first-hand what the Code means for ships like this. As Ocean Diamond’s captain Oleg Klaptenko explains, operating in Polar waters is the ultimate test of his ship, and his skills as a professional seafarer.

“There are several sources of danger. Low temperature, bad visibility, very long polar night and polar day. Remoteness from our home and from human facility that can help you. It is also lack of good, accurate and complete hydrographic service,” says Captain Klaptenko.

With more and more ships navigating in polar waters, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – the United Nations agency with responsibility for regulating the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships – has addressed international concern about the protection of the polar environment and the safety of seafarers and passengers.

Check out the film below: