New guidelines on polar sailings

Maritime trade between Arctic destinations and the rest of the world is expected to expand and an increasing number of ships are now undertaking voyages in polar waters. Technical developments in ship design and equipment continue to facilitate more and more ship operations in remote polar areas, despite challenging and unpredictable sea and weather conditions. The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code), adopted by the IMO, requires shipping companies intending to operate in polar waters to develop a polar water operational manual (PWOM) for their ships to be issued with a Polar Ship Certificate.