International Maritime Organization Working On ‘Polar Code’

A “polar code” for shipping vessels traveling in the Arctic could be agreed upon this week by a committee of the International Maritime Organization.

Right now, insurance for vessel owners sending ships into the Arctic can be very expensive, and an international agreement on standards for safety and construction would be expected to lower those rates.

Last year about 71 vessels traveled the Northern Sea Route along the Russian coast but an estimated total of one thousand vessels ventured into Arctic waters.