International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters

[7] 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 the Code in abeyance, pending further consideration at DE 57 [2013].

To cover these areas, the Code focuses on managing the hazards of Polar Waters through the use of "design goals and functional requirements.

On December 22, 2016 the Russian shuttle tanker Shturman Albanov became the first ship to be certified in compliance with the Polar Code.

[12] Many industry bodies and environmental groups termed the final draft Polar code of 2014 as "too weak" and "diluted".

There are recommendations about ballast water management and anti-fouling paint which leave the choice to comply or not to the individual vessel.