Polar Class

Polar Class (PC) refers to the ice class assigned to a ship based on the Unified Requirements for Polar Class Ships developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). The first set of rules was established in 2007. Prior to this, there were multiple sets of ice class rules, all governed by different states.

The Polar Classes range from PC 1 (the highest) to PC 7 (the lowest) and correspond to the vessel's strength and operational capability. Their descriptions assist owners, operators, and designers in selecting the appropriate PC for the intended voyage or use of the ship.

To obtain the information necessary to calculate the PC, the hull is divided into four regions longitudinally, and then further into three regions vertically. For each of the regions, a design ice load is then calculated, which determines the structure of the vessel. After structural details are ascertained, machinery systems must meet requirements as well.

• PC 1: Year-round operation in all polar waters
• PC 2: Year-round operation in moderate multi-year ice conditions
• PC 3: Year-round operation in second-year ice which may include multi-year ice inclusions
• PC 4: Year-round operation in thick first-year ice which may include old ice inclusions
• PC 5: Year-round operation in medium first-year ice which may include old ice inclusions
• PC 6: Summer and autumn operation in medium first-year ice which may include old ice inclusions
• PC 7: Summer and autumn operation in thin first-year ice which may include old ice inclusions

To learn more about Polar Code visit our Polar Code Online Training web page.