If the vessel is intended to call a specific port located in Polar waters (such as RED DOG), the ships need to carry a Polar Ship Certificate and operation manual/procedures on board according to the Polar Code (=International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters).
The Polar Code has Categories of A/B/C ships, and most of ordinary merchant ships applies Category C. We introduce about Polar Code for ships Category C here.
Q. What is Polar Code?
A. Polar Code was established by IMO for the purpose of ship safety and environmental protection while ship navigating in Polar waters. The Polar Code entered into force on 1 January 2017.
Q. What is the Ship Category A/B/C of Polar Code?
A. It is classified according to ship's navigable Ice condition in the Polar Waters. Ships category A is most severe ice condition.
Q. What is procedures to obtain “Polar Ship Certificate” for ships category C ?
A. Following procedures are common;
Shipowner prepares the necessary documents → Application to classification → Survey by
classification (by checking documents only or physical survey on board) → Issuance of
certificate after completion of survey.
Q. Hull modification and/or additional equipment is required?
A. In case of ships category C, we have no experience of any hull modification but it may require additional equipment.
Q. What documents are required for application of Polar Ship Certificate ?
A. It depends on ship's classification, but following documents are generally required. Please contact your ship's Classification for more detail.
- Operational Assessment for the planned navigation area and the risk of the intended voyage.
- Polar Water Operational Manual& Procedures
- SOPEP
Q. How long it is take to get certificate?
A. In case of Class NK, it takes minimum 2 weeks from application to issuance of certificate. Also, it will take a little longer to prepare various procedures before application to classification.
Q. Is the classification survey only for checking documents?
A. Sometimes the survey is completed by only checking documents, but sometimes the surveyor inspect the ship’s physical condition on board, so it is case by case depending on ship classification and conditions.
Please refer below link of technical information of Class NK and Japan P&I news.
https://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/pdf/tech_info/tech_img/T1166e.pdf
https://www.piclub.or.jp/en/news/12078
Update on 5 April 2023
ABS has published guidelines on Polar Code, including general information on Polar Code, how to obtain a Polar Ship Certificate, and precautions for Alaska and Red Dog voyages.
It also includes an example of the Polar Water Operational Manual required to obtain a Polar Ship Certificate.
The guide can be downloaded here.
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