United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted the environmental part of the Polar Code. Hereby, internationally binding regulations on navigation in polar waters become effective from 1 January 2017.
The IMO has taken the very last step towards making the consolidated Polar Code internationally binding.
Last week, the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 68) adopted the environmental part of the Polar Code. This means that all aspects of navigation in polar waters are now covered by regulations – from the design of ships, the education and training of the crew, navigation, improved coordination of search and rescue activities to the discharge of oil, chemicals, sewage and garbage.
The safety-related part of the Polar Code was adopted in November last year by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 94).
The Polar Code will apply to all passenger ships, just as it will apply to cargo ships with a gross tonnage above 500. The regulations also cover the waters off Greenland.