IMO’s Polar Code 15 April 2015 No.15-001 Download PDF (589KB) Members’ attention is drawn to the increasing regulation of shipping activities in Arctic and Antarctic waters.   In November 2014 the IMO adopted the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (“the Polar Code”). Although the Polar Code has already been adopted by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (“MSC”), the final implementation by the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (“MEPC”) will not take place until May 2015. Accordingly, the Polar Code is currently in the form of draft legislation, which has not yet been officially published. However, the principal provisions are already known and this Club Circular sets out the structure of the Polar Code and draws Members’ attention to the changes which it brings to chartering and ship operations.  1.       Structure of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (the “Polar Code”) 1.1. The Polar Code itself is not a new convention. It will be implemented through amendments of existing conventions: the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (“SOLAS”) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (“MARPOL”). 1.2. The Polar Code consists of (a) mandatory provisions; and (b) guidelines which one should follow when navigating in Arctic and Antarctic waters but which are not compulsory. Whilst the guidelines are already published and available in the public domain [1] , the changes to SOLAS and MARPOL are contained in the Polar Code itself and therefore not available in full until final adoption by the MEPC in May 2015. 1.3 The reason for the implementation of the Polar Code is the increase of risk when navigating in polar waters. For instance, harsh and extreme weather conditions, incomplete charting of some areas, unreliable navigational aids, potential remoteness from salvage, counter-pollution, search and rescue and bunkering fa