Polar Class ( PC ) refers to the ice class assigned to a ship by a classification society based on the Unified Requirements for Polar Class Ships developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). Seven Polar Classes are defined in the rules, ranging from PC 1 for year-round operation in all polar waters to PC 7 for summer and autumn operation in thin first-year ice.
47-609: The IACS Polar Class rules should not be confused with International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The development of the Polar Class rules began in the 1990s with an international effort to harmonize the requirements for marine operations in the polar waters in order to protect life, property and the environment. The guidelines developed by
94-609: A Polar Water Operational Manual (PWOM), as per Chapter 2 of the Code. The Code is not mandatory for ships less than 500 GT, fishing vessels or those entitled to sovereign immunity. Many environmental protections are already effective in Antarctica and not yet in effect in the Arctic. For example, A new regulation from MARPOL now protects the Antarctic from pollution by heavy grade oils. This measure
141-459: A design ice load is calculated based on the dimensions, hull geometry, and ice class of the vessel. This ice load is then used to determine the scantlings and steel grades of structural elements such as shell plating and frames in each location. The design scenario used to determine the ice loads is a glancing collision with a floating ice floe. In addition to structural details, the Polar Class rules have requirements for machinery systems such as
188-476: A hull strengthened according to PC 4 requirements. However, the 228 metres (748 ft) long and 42 metres (138 ft) wide vessel does not feature an icebreaking hull and is designed to operate primarily in pre-broken ("managed") ice. The Canadian shipping company Fednav operates two PC 4 rated bulk carriers , 2014-built Nunavik and 2021-built Arvik I . The 28,000-tonne vessels are primarily used to transport nickel ore from Raglan Mine in
235-415: A necessity in a more advanced system that would take into account structural features, strength, technical condition and navigation area. As soon as the end of the 19th century the first classification body was established. In 1899 the first classification rules emerged. On 31 December 1913, the charter of the classification society "Russian Register" was approved. The society was renamed several times due to
282-477: A physical separate survey and the Polar Code allows this to be simply sent by email . The Polar Code does not address whole groups of vessels, as well as many known issues. Fishing vessels and those less than 500 GT do not need to comply with the Code. Air pollution and greenhouse gasses are not mentioned in the Polar Code. There are recommendations about ballast water management and anti-fouling paint which leave
329-690: A single vessel was initially scheduled for delivery in 2017, the National Shipbuilding Strategy has since been revised to include two such icebreakers, the first of which is planned to enter service by December 2029. As of 2024, no ships have been built, under construction or planned to PC 1, the highest ice class specified by the IACS. International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters or Polar Code
376-577: Is an international regime adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2014. The Code sets out regulations for shipping in the polar regions , principally relating to ice navigation and ship design. The international framework aims to protect the two polar regions — the Arctic (north pole region) and Antarctic (south pole region), from maritime risks. The Code entered into force on 1 January 2017. The Polar Code stems from previous IMO documents, including voluntary guidelines in both 2002 and 2010. As part of ongoing international work on
423-848: Is expected to enter service in 2027. The new Canadian Coast Guard Multi-Purpose Vessels (MPV) will be rated PC 4 Icebreaker(+). Sixteen vessels will be built by Seaspan in the 2020s and 2030s, and the first vessel is expected to enter service in 2028. The first PC 3 vessels were two heavy load carriers, Audax and Pugnax , built for the Netherlands-based ZPMC-Red Box Energy Services in 2016. The 206.3 metres (677 ft) long and 43 metres (141 ft) wide vessels, capable of breaking up to 1.5-metre (5 ft) ice independently, were built for year-round transportation of LNG liquefaction plant modules to Sabetta . Although usually referred to by their Russian Maritime Register of Shipping ice class Arc7 ,
470-542: Is the expedition cruise ship Le Commandant Charcot operated by the French company Compagnie du Ponant . The 270-passenger vessel, capable of breaking up to 2.5 metres (8 ft) thick multi-year ice and taking passengers to the North Pole , was delivered in 2021. The United States Coast Guard has ordered two out of three planned PC 2 rated heavy polar icebreakers referred to as Polar Security Cutters . Construction of
517-602: Is undergoing post-acceptance trials, and HMCS William Hall , HMCS Frédérick Rolette and HMCS Robert Hampton Gray are under construction. Two additional ships have been ordered for the Canadian Coast Guard . As of 2023, four cruise ships have been built with PC 5 rating: National Geographic Endurance (delivered in 2020) and National Geographic Resolution (2021) for Lindblad Expeditions , and SH Minerva (2021) and SH Vega (2022) for Swan Hellenic . The 2012-built drillship Stena IceMAX has
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#1732856089969564-519: The Argentine Navy intended to complement the country's existing icebreaker ARA Almirante Irízar in Antarctica is currently in design stage. The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) is in the process of acquiring a new PC 4 rated icebreaker for researching the Arctic region. The Swedish Maritime Administration is in the process of acquiring 2–3 new icebreakers rated PC 4 Icebreaker(+). The first icebreaker
611-642: The International Labour Organization . In Russia the first acts of state technical supervision date back to the beginning of the 18th century - the time of the intensive development of the Russian fleet. By the end of the century the Charter of Merchant Shipping had been approved regulating mandatory state registration of ships and documentation on the technical condition of a vessel . At that time, ships were classed by type and age, therefore there emerged
658-540: The Arctic or the Antarctic waters at any time of the year while the lower boundary was set to existing tonnage operating during the summer season, most of which followed the Baltic ice classes with some upgrades and additions. The lowest Polar Class (PC 7) was thus set to the similar level with the Finnish-Swedish ice class 1A. The definition of operational conditions for each Polar Class was intentionally left vague due to
705-463: The Baltic ice classes intended for operation only in first-year sea ice, even the lowest Polar Classes consider the possibility of encountering multi-year ice ("old ice inclusions"). In the Polar Class rules, the hull of the vessel is divided longitudinally into four regions: "bow", "bow intermediate", "midbody" and "stern". All longitudinal regions except the bow are further divided vertically into "bottom", "lower" and "icebelt" regions. For each region,
752-516: The Canadian Arctic. In 2015, the hull of the Finnish 1986-built icebreaker Otso was reinforced with additional steel to PC 4 level to allow the vessel to support seismic surveys in the Arctic during the summer months. The Finnish LNG-powered icebreaker Polaris , built in 2016, is rated PC 4 with an additional Lloyd's Register class notation "Icebreaker(+)". The latter part of
799-727: The Code in abeyance, pending further consideration at DE 57 [2013]. However, agreement was subsequently reached and in November 2014, the Polar Code was approved by the MSC of the IMO and in May 2016, it was approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the IMO. The Code entered into force on 1 January 2017. The Polar Code is enforced through incorporation in existing treaties that encompass safety ( International Convention for
846-616: The ISM Code requirements. "Development of the Arctic has become the subject of intense attention due to the region’s vast hydrocarbon resources", write Аgarcov et al. An oil transportation system in the Russian Arctic needed to be developed and for this purpose the RMRS was involved. The Arc6 and Arc7 ice classes were thus created. Ships of this type are intended for transportation of liquid hydrocarbons "without assistance of icebreakers in waters of
893-689: The International Maritime Organization (IMO), which were later incorporated in the Polar Code, made reference to the compliance with Unified Requirements for Polar Ships developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). In May 1996, an "Ad-Hoc Group to establish Unified Requirements for Polar Ships (AHG/PSR)" was established with one working group concentrating on the structural requirements and another working on machinery-related issues. The first IACS Polar Class rules were published in 2007. Prior to
940-586: The Polar Code, an IMO Workshop on the code's Environmental Aspects was held in Cambridge, United Kingdom, in September 2011. The report and some of the presentations from the workshop can be found on the IMO's website. In February 2012, the IMO's Marine Safety Committee ("MSC") released a report detailing progress on the Polar Code. As of 2012, the MSC "decided to keep any decision on environmental requirements to be included in
987-503: The Polar Code, to cover the full range of design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue and environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in the inhospitable waters surrounding the two poles. To cover these areas, the Code focuses on managing the hazards of Polar Waters through the use of "design goals and functional requirements." For example, to ensure procedures for operations, including procedures for use of icebreakers, ships are required to possess
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#17328560899691034-472: The RMRS experts participate in the proceedings of the IMO , ISO and EFQM committees and sub-committees. RMRS is an associate member of INTERTANKO , INTERCARGO and BIMCO. RMRS performs classification and survey of ships and floating structures under construction and in service as well as statutory surveys as authorized by maritime administrations of a number of countries. Authorized by the maritime administration of
1081-506: The Russian Federation and other 37 countries, RMRS performs certification of safety management systems of shipping companies and ships for compliance with ISM Code . This safety standard provides for establishing safety management systems in shipping companies and for eliminating human factor from safe operation of ships. RMRS experts on ISM Code working in RMRS offices worldwide provide prompt services on certification for compliance with
1128-607: The Safety of Life at Sea or "SOLAS") and environmental protections (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships or "MARPOL"). Specifically, the Polar Code includes mandatory provisions covering safety measures (part I-A) and pollution prevention measures (part II-A) and additional guidance regarding the provisions for both (parts I-B and II-B). The Code assigns three categories for ships depending on
1175-699: The USSR Register of Shipping. The RMRS is an international classification society established in 1913. In RMRS class there are 6,677 ships flying flags of more than 40 states. RMRS structure comprises the Head Office in St. Petersburg and 109 offices in Russia and abroad. Over 1500 highly qualified specialists provide the whole range of RMRS works and services worldwide, As members of the Russian Federation delegations,
1222-438: The additional notation "Icebreaker" while Nuyina ' notation includes Lloyd's Register's "Icebreaker(+)" notation. The Finnish multipurpose icebreakers Fennica and Nordica , built in the early 1990s, were assigned PC 3 rating as part of the vessels' Polar Code certification in 2019. As of 2023, there are no PC 3 rated vessels under construction. As of 2023, the only PC 2 rated vessel in service
1269-462: The appropriate Polar Class to match the intended voyage or service of the vessel. Ships with sufficient power and strength to undertake "aggressive operations in ice-covered waters", such as escort and ice management operations, can be assigned an additional notation " Icebreaker ". The two lowest Polar Classes (PC 6 and PC 7) are roughly equivalent to the two highest Finnish-Swedish ice classes (1A Super and 1A, respectively). However, unlike
1316-764: The choice to comply or not to the individual vessel. Russian Maritime Register of Shipping The Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS) ( Russian : Российский морской регистр судоходства ) maintains a ship register of the Russian Federation , based in Saint Petersburg , and is a marine classification society . Its activities aim to enhance safety of navigation, safety of life at sea, security of ships, safe carriage of cargo, environmental safety of ships, prevention of pollution from ships, and performance of authorisations issued by maritime administrations and customers. RMRS develops and continually improves its rules and guidelines in compliance with requirements of
1363-666: The construction of the vessels due for delivery by the end of 2016 was later cancelled following Shell Oil 's decision to halt Arctic oil exploration. As of 2023, three polar research vessels have been built with PC 3 rating: Kronprins Haakon for the Norwegian Polar Institute in 2018, Xue Long 2 for the Polar Research Institute of China in 2019, and Nuyina for the Australian Antarctic Division in 2021. Kronprins Haakon also has
1410-514: The development of the unified requirements, each classification society had their own set of ice class rules ranging from Baltic ice classes intended for operation in first-year ice to higher vessel categories, including icebreakers, intended for operations in polar waters. When developing the upper and lower boundaries for the Polar Classes, it was agreed that the highest Polar Class vessels (PC 1) should be capable of operating safely anywhere in
1457-470: The fifteen first-generation Yamalmax LNG carriers built in 2016–2019 as well as the arctic condensate tankers Boris Sokolov (built in 2018) and Yuriy Kuchiev (2019) serving the Yamal LNG project also have PC 3 rating from Bureau Veritas . In April 2015, it was reported that Edison Chouest would build two PC 3 anchor handling tug supply vessels (AHTS) for Alaskan operations. However,
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1504-526: The final draft Polar code of 2014 as "too weak" and "diluted". The pollution restrictions in the arctic waters are even more lax than those in the Mediterranean Sea , allowing ships to throw food waste overboard in arctic waters 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) from ice. The structural requirements too were found lax: for instance, being ice classed is not a requirements for ships making one arctic passage. Polar certification does not require
1551-594: The first vessel, USCGC Polar Sentinel , has been delayed by several years and now is not expected to be delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard until at least 2028. While the vessels these Polar Security Cutters are intended to replace, USCGC Polar Star and USCGC Polar Sea , are sometimes referred to as Polar-class icebreakers , these mid-1970s icebreakers do not carry a PC rating. The future Canadian Coast Guard polar icebreakers CCGS Arpatuuq and CCGS Imnaryuaq are designed to PC 2 rating with an additional notation "Icebreaker(+)". While
1598-508: The historical reasons: Russian Register, the USSR Register of Shipping, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. The proper technical condition of the fleet is to be provided by highly qualified staff and regular scientific research. Since 1914 the research and development activities have been coordinated by the Scientific and Technical Council. RMRS has always been using the latest scientific and technical achievements. The USSR Register of Shipping
1645-500: The international standards to ensure the safety at sea and pollution prevention. The RMRS seeks to maintain its own quality management system at the highest possible level and also to promote implementation of high technical standards in design of ships, shipbuilding and shipping industry using its unique experience in ensuring maritime safety. RMRS has over 100 offices worldwide providing classification, survey, certification, design appraisal and quality systems' verification services. RMRS
1692-399: The main propulsion, steering gear, and systems essential for the safety of the crew and survivability of the vessel. For example, propeller-ice interaction should be taken into account in the propeller design, cooling systems and sea water inlets should be designed to work also in ice-covered waters, and the ballast tanks should be provided with effective means of preventing freezing. Although
1739-522: The northern seas in one-year loose pack ice of up to 1.1 m in winter-spring season and up to 1.7 m in summer-autumn season." Ambient temperature limits for Arc6 type vessels are -45 degrees C. A 69,000 DWT tanker of this type was contracted in 2018 by Rosneft to the Zvezda Shipyard , and its keel had been laid by 2020. The ship was to be seven metres longer than the Aframax class, and for use with
1786-519: The notation refers to additional structural strengthening based on analysis of the vessel's operational profile and potential ice loading scenarios. The interim icebreakers CCGS Captain Molly Kool , CCGS Jean Goodwill , and CCGS Vincent Massey , built in 2000–01 and acquired by the Canadian Coast Guard 2018, will be upgraded to PC 4 rating as part of the vessels' conversion to Canadian service. The new PC 4 polar logistics vessel of
1833-695: The operational conditions that the ship will face: Category A for ships designed to operate in polar waters with at least medium first-year ice (0.7 to 1.2 metres (28 to 47 in) thick), which may include old (multi-year) ice inclusions; Category B for ships not included in Category A and designed for operation in polar waters in at least thin first-year ice (0.3 to 0.7 metres (12 to 28 in) thick), which may include old ice inclusions; and Category C for ships designed to operate in open water or in ice conditions less severe than those included in categories A and B. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) developed
1880-890: The polar regions are built to PC 5 rating: the South African S. A. Agulhas II in 2012, the American Sikuliaq in 2014, and the British RRS Sir David Attenborough in 2020. In addition, a PC 5 Antarctic vessel Almirante Viel is under construction for the Chilean Navy as of 2023. In 2012, the Royal Canadian Navy awarded a shipbuilding contract for the construction of six to eight Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) rated at PC 5. As of 2023, HMCS Harry DeWolf and HMCS Margaret Brooke have entered service, HMCS Max Bernays
1927-533: The requirements of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping , which maintains its own ice class rules parallel to the IACS Polar Class rules. Although numerous ships have been built to the two least hardened Polar Classes, PC 6 and PC 7, only a small number of ships have been assigned ice class PC 5 or higher. A number of research vessels intended for scientific missions in
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1974-423: The rules generally require the ships to have suitable hull form and sufficient propulsion power to operate independently and at continuous speed in ice conditions corresponding to their Polar Class, the ice-going capability requirements of the vessel are not clearly defined in terms of speed or ice thickness. In practice, this means that the Polar Class of the vessel may not reflect the actual icebreaking capability of
2021-454: The vessel. The IACS Polar Class rules apply for ships contracted for construction on or after 1 July 2007. This means that while vessels built prior to this date may have an equivalent or even higher level of ice strengthening, they are not officially assigned a Polar Class and may not in fact fulfill all the requirements in the unified requirements. In addition, particularly Russian ships and icebreakers are assigned ice classes only according to
2068-530: The wide variety of ship operations carried out in polar waters. The IACS has established seven different Polar Class notations, ranging from PC 1 (highest) to PC 7 (lowest), with each level corresponding to operational capability and strength of the vessel. The description of ice conditions where ships of each Polar Class are intended to operate are based on World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Sea Ice Nomenclature . These definitions are intended to guide owners, designers and administrations in selecting
2115-468: Was adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), at its 60th session in March, 2010. The measure entered into force on 1 August 2011. However, this regulation does not apply to Arctic ship operations. On December 22, 2016 the Russian shuttle tanker Shturman Albanov became the first ship to be certified in compliance with the Polar Code. Many industry bodies and environmental groups termed
2162-546: Was one of the twelve classification societies who are members of the International Association of Classification Societies ( IACS ), which cover 90% of the world merchant fleet. Due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , IACS withdrew RMRS's membership on March 11, 2022. RMRS takes part in the work of the International Maritime Organization , the International Organization for Standardization and
2209-417: Was the first society to develop requirements for Arctic ships. The society's rules for electric welding proved the possibility of implementation of this new technology during the construction and repair of ships. Since the 1950s the USSR Register of Shipping has become the only classification society in the world to have nuclear ships in its class. Russian Maritime Register of Shipping is the legal successor of
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