Ship Structure

The Polar Code sets out a standard for ship structure, with the goal of retaining structural integrity of a vessel and its equipment when faced with environmental loads and conditions. In order to meet this goal, the regulations state that both of the following standards be met:

• Any ship that intends to operate in low air temperatures must be made of materials that are acceptable for operation at the polar service temperature.
• When a ship has been strengthened for operation in ice, the ship's structure must be designed to withstand global and local structural loads anticipated for the expected ice conditions.

To comply with these standards, the vessel must be approved by the administration or a recognized organization for having met the standards or an equivalent level of safety based on the PST. The following must also be noted:

• Scantlings of Category A and Category B ships are approved, taking into account stated standards or standards with an equivalent level of safety.
• Scantlings of ice strengthened Category C ships are approved, taking into account acceptable standards that are adequate for the types and concentrations of ice encountered in the area the vessel will be operating.
• A Category C ship does not need to be ice strengthened if the ship's structure is deemed adequate for its intended operation by the administration or recognized organization.

Ice class is determined by the administration or recognized organization. The approach for determination is the same for existing and new vessels.

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