Polar Code on Agenda at IMO SecGen's Chile Visit

IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu to discuss (during his visit to Chile) the Polar Code being developed by IMO .

In Punta Arenas at a special conference on Search and Rescue in the Antarctic region, and the Polar Code the Secretary-General will draw attention to the unique difficulties faced by ships operating in the Arctic and Antarctic environments.

Poor weather and the relative lack of good charts, communication systems and other navigational aids pose challenges for mariners. The remoteness of the areas makes rescue or clean-up operations difficult and costly. Cold temperatures may reduce the effectiveness of numerous components of the ship, ranging from deck machinery and emergency equipment to sea suctions. When ice is present, it can impose additional loads on the hull, propulsion system and appendages.

Mr Sekimizu will talk about the Polar Code being developed by IMO 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 – particularly in the context of increased tourism to these regions – and will draw attention to Chile’s own tremendous contribution to the development of search and rescue faciltities and techniques in the region.