Maritime Glossary
Polar Code
Also known as: International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters
The IMO code establishing safety and pollution-prevention requirements for ships in Arctic and Antarctic waters.
Status: ActiveVerified: Source confidence: high (96%)
Full Definition
The Polar Code entered into force on 1 January 2017 under SOLAS (Part I-A, safety) and 1 July 2017 under MARPOL (Part II-A, environment). Ships must hold a Polar Ship Certificate and carry a Polar Water Operational Manual (PWOM). The Code introduces Polar Class (PC1–PC7) ice strengthening requirements and prohibits oil, noxious liquid, sewage, and garbage discharge in specific Antarctic and Arctic areas. Minimum equipment standards cover survival craft, EPIRBs, and ice navigation.
Domain Tags
regulationsafetyenvironment