An Introduction to the Polar Code
                     An Introduction 
to the
POLAR CODE
VICTOR OLERSKIY
Member of the Board of Directors at
Russian Fishery LLC
The Polar Code is the name commonly given to the International 
Code for Ships Operating in International Waters. This Code is an 
international regime that establishes shipping regulations in the two 
polar regions, the Arctic and the Antarctic, principally relating to 
ship design and the navigation of ice floes.
Risk Protection
The objective of the Polar Code is 
the protection of the two polar re-
gions of the world from maritime 
risks. It includes both regulations 
and voluntary guidelines and 
stems from previous documents 
from the International Maritime 
Organisation (IMO).
Code Enforcement
The Polar Code does not apply to 
ships with sovereign immunity, to 
fishing vessels or to vessels with 
less than 500GT. A lot of the envi-
ronmental protections included 
are not yet in force in the Arctic, 
although they are in the Antarc-
tic, such as a MARPOL regulation 
preventing Antarctic pollution by 
heavy-grade oils. Arctic water pol-
lution prevention requirements 
in the Polar Code have been criti-
cised by many as being too lax.
Existing Treaties
The Polar Code was developed 
with existing treaties for environ-
mental protection and safety un-
der consideration. These include 
SOLAS and MARPOL.
Victor Olerskiy
Victor Olerskiy
Victor Olerskiy
Learn more about MARPOL by visiting the blog 
of Victor Olerskiy, Russia’s previous Deputy 
Minister for Transport.