New Polar Code to help underwriters writing marine risk in polar waters

A new Polar Code, a code of practice for ships operating in the Arctic and Antarctic which came into force on 1 January 2017, will provide critical risk mitigation directives and support to underwriters writing marine risk in polar waters, according to the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI).

POLARIS, as the new set of industry standards is called, was developed by lawyer Michael Kingston, representative of IUMI at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on Polar matters; Lloyd’s, in conjunction with the Nordic Association of Marine Insurers (CEFOR), IUMI; and the Lloyd’s Register, with the cooperation of the Arctic and Antarctic States.

The standards help establish a single ice regime system (POLARIS), to give guidance for a range of planned and possible situations that might emerge when operating a ship in Polar waters, for use in pre-planning and actual operations.

Kingston said: “Lloyd’s and Lloyd’s Register have helped improve significant international regulation for the protection of seafarers, the environment and the indigenous peoples of the Polar Regions. This is an example of what we can achieve when we work together in industry and with governments and international regulators. It is also a demonstration of the importance of the maritime strength of the City of London.”

A key element of the Polar Code is the requirement for any ship operating in polar waters to have a Polar Waters Operational Manual (PWOM) which sets out how the crew will respond in a worst-case scenario in the anticipated conditions that may occur in the planned voyage. If the PWOM is appropriate, only then should the operator receive a Polar Ship Certificate from their Flag State.

The Polar Code will apply initially to vessels greater than 500 tonnes and requires ship owners to have in place contingency plans for all aspects of marine operations including safety of navigation, pollution incidents, ship structure requirements, and search and rescue plans.

Lloyd’s head of innovation, Trevor Maynard, said: “The Polar Code is a game-changer for a number of reasons: it improves the safety of seafarers; it encourages a safer approach to operating in important wilderness areas; and it helps protect the living environments of indigenous peoples.”