RS Rules application will ensure full compliance of ships with the Polar Code
Application of the Rules of Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) will ensure full compliance of the domestic ship owners with the Polar Code requirements to come into force on 1 January 2017, RS says.
The Register is a recognized expert in technical supervision of ice class ships: 5000 ships classed with RS include over 3200 ice class ships, more than 300 of which are capable of being operated in the Arctic seas. The RS Rules are being constantly developed and improved taking into account the contemporary needs within the shipping industry.
RS requirements have largely conformed to the Polar Code technical requirements since prior to the adoption of this international instrument aimed at ensuring safe navigation in polar waters. For example, the Arctic ships currently built to the RS class with the distinguishing marks ANTI-ICE and Winterization comply with the Polar Code requirements as regards the applied precautions against icing, with their equipment designed to operate at low temperatures.
For the convenience of the customers, the Register has developed the Guidelines on the Application of the Polar Code determining the applicable list of the requirements from this international document. The Guidelines provide a detailed description of the Procedure for Survey of Polar Class Ships, the structure of the required documents depending on the ship category as well as the evaluation of operating conditions. In addition, they provide the detailed correlation of the Polar Code requirements with the similar requirements of the RS Rules, distinguishing marks and descriptive notations in the class notation in various aspects: ship structure, stability, machinery installations, fire protection, life-saving appliances, safety of navigation, communication, pollution prevention measures.
As of November 2016, 104 sea transport items are being constructed under the RS technical supervision at the Russian shipyards. 22,1% of them are tugs, 13,5% - oil tankers, 8,7% - icebreakers, 6,7% is accounted for by support vessels and oil-and-gas field construction facilities, 4,8% - by supply and salvage ships, 2,9% - by fishing and unberthed passenger ships, 1,9% - by dredgers and dry cargo carriers of river-sea navigation, 23,1% include other ships (motorboats, pontoons, barges, hydrographic survey and patrol vessels, nuclear maintenance vessels, etc.). 70% of them are capable of being operated in the Arctic seas.
The construction of the most powerful (25 MW) diesel-electric icebreaker worldwide of 22600 series, capable of both independent pilotage and operating as a support ship being part of heavy towing trains along the Northern Sea Route, is among the projects implemented with the RS involvement. Series IBSV01 icebreaking supply vessels are a unique model in the world’s shipbuilding: high ice class, good manoeuvring ability ensured by three steerable propellers, comparatively shallow draught and equipment designed for operation at the temperatures as low as - 50 С will enable them to most effectively operate in the Gulf of Ob area. A series 71014 ice breaking supply vessel will be capable of delivering goods and equipment, performing rescue and salvage operations where necessary, emergency evacuation of people and cleaning up emergency oil spills even in harsh climatic conditions during the winter navigation.
Polar Code (the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters) is an IMO instrument, intended to ensure safe navigation in polar areas. The Code shall come into force on January, 1, 2017, with transition period until 2018, and covers all issues related to designing and operation of polar class ships. Developed with the RS specialists’ direct involvement.
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) is an internationally recognized classification society. RS was established in 1913. Today there are over 5000 ships in the RS class operated by 47 flag states. The Organisation has about 50 RS Branch Offices and Representative Offices in Russia and worldwide recognized by Maritime Administrations in more than 71 flag states, including 16 EU states.
RS is a full member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), which consolidates 12 world’s leading classification societies, having concentrated in its class about 90% of the world’s shipping. RS activity is aimed at enhancing safe navigation standards, safety of life at sea and marine environment pollution prevention.
