UPSC Prelims 2022 Q77: Polar Code — Explained
Which one of the following statements best describes the 'Polar Code'?
- It is the international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters.
- It is the agreement of the countries around the North Pole regarding the demarcation of their territories in the polar region.
- It is a set of norms to be followed by the countries whose scientists undertake research studies in the North Pole and South Pole.
- It is a trade and security agreement of the member countries of the Arctic Council.
Answer: (a) It is the international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters.
Statement-wise explanation
- a: correct — The Polar Code is the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters, adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It covers ship design, construction, equipment, operations, crew training, search and rescue, and environmental protection in Arctic and Antarctic waters. It is made binding through two IMO conventions: SOLAS (safety of life at sea) and MARPOL (prevention of pollution from ships). It entered into force on 1 January 2017.
- b: incorrect — The Polar Code does not demarcate territory. Maritime boundaries and continental-shelf claims in the Arctic are governed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and by agreements between the countries involved. The Polar Code only sets standards for ships, whatever flag they fly.
- c: incorrect — The Polar Code is not a code of conduct for scientists or research countries. In Antarctica, scientific activity is governed by the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 and its Environmental Protocol. The Arctic has no single research treaty. The Polar Code also covers both poles, but it applies to shipping, not to research.
- d: incorrect — The Arctic Council was set up by the Ottawa Declaration of 1996. It is a forum of eight Arctic states for cooperation on environmental protection and sustainable development. Its mandate expressly excludes military security, and it does not make trade agreements. The Polar Code is an IMO instrument, not an Arctic Council one.
How to eliminate
The name gives the main clue. In international usage, a 'Code' usually means a set of technical standards, such as the IMO's ISM Code or ISPS Code, not a treaty that divides territory or a trade pact. That makes the territorial-demarcation statement and the trade-and-security statement unlikely. The trade-and-security statement is also false from basic knowledge: the Arctic Council does not handle military security. The research-norms statement is harder to rule out. To rule it out, you need to know that Antarctic research falls under the Antarctic Treaty System. The statement that settles the question is: Polar Code = IMO = ships in polar waters, made mandatory through SOLAS and MARPOL, in force since 1 January 2017.
Know more
The Polar Code (IMO)
Melting sea ice is opening Arctic routes such as the Northern Sea Route. Polar tourism is also growing. As a result, more ships now sail in waters with ice, extreme cold, long periods of darkness, poor charts and very little rescue support. The IMO responded with a single mandatory code for these waters.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Adopting body | International Maritime Organization (UN agency, London) |
| Safety part | Adopted at MSC 94, November 2014 (through SOLAS amendments) |
| Environment part | Adopted at MEPC 68, May 2015 (through MARPOL amendments) |
| In force | 1 January 2017 |
| Structure | Part I-A (mandatory safety), I-B (recommendatory safety), II-A (mandatory pollution prevention), II-B (recommendatory pollution prevention) |
| Key documents | Polar Ship Certificate; Polar Water Operational Manual |
Ship categories under the Code
- Category A: built for at least medium first-year ice, which may include old ice.
- Category B: built for at least thin first-year ice.
- Category C: built for open water or lighter ice conditions.
The Code mainly applies to SOLAS ships, such as cargo ships of 500 GT and above and passenger ships. Fishing vessels and small craft fall outside most of it. In 2019 the IMO Assembly (Resolution A.1137) urged states to apply its safety measures to these ships voluntarily.
On the environment side, MARPOL already bans heavy fuel oil in the Antarctic. The Code also covers the discharge of oil, sewage and garbage.
Do not confuse with:
- Antarctic Treaty (1959): governs Antarctica, including peaceful use and freedom of scientific research.
- Arctic Council (1996): an intergovernmental forum of 8 Arctic states. India has been an observer since 2013. It does not handle military security.
- UNCLOS: the source of rules on maritime zones and seabed claims, including those in the Arctic.
In the news
In March 2022, shortly before the exam, India released its first Arctic Policy. One of its pillars is transportation and connectivity. Arctic shipping routes opened by melting ice were also in the news at the time. Both made the rules for ships in polar waters a likely topic.
NCERT Concepts to Revise
- Arctic Council: One statement links the Polar Code to the Arctic Council, so you need to know what the Council does and does not cover.