International code for ships operating in polar waters: challenges to polar shipping safety rules in China

• Main Authors: Weifang, Li, Yan, Huang
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Polar Research Institute of China - PRIC 2016
• Subjects: Oceans; Law and Policy; Arctic; Antarctic; Advances in Polar Science; Antarc*; Polar Science; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://library.arcticportal.org/2604/; http://library.arcticportal.org/2604/1/A170221000002.pdf

With the sea-ice diminishing steadily in the polar regions, there has been growing interest in new transit routes through polar waters using cost-effective transportation. Among the international regulators over polar shipping, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the leading body concerned with drafting marine safety and environmental protection rules. The mandatory Polar Code (International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters) adopted by the IMO signals the consensus among maritime states to apply compulsory rules to vessels operating in Arctic and Antarctic waters. As the standing member of the IMO and a major global shipping power, China is preparing to adopt national regulatory standards to develop an adequate vessel infrastructure and crew training system. Proceeding in parallel with the developing polar shipping industry, China will also move ahead in comprehensive collaboration with the Nordic states regarding polar issues.