Arctic Council Working Group 
Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum
In this section
In 2017, PAME established the Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (Forum) in response to the adoption of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The aim of the Forum is to promote effective implementation of and compliance with the Polar Code amongst all those involved in or potentially affected by Arctic marine operations. The Forum also is intended to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices among Forum participants on a broad arrange of Arctic shipping topics, including but not limited to; hydrography, search and rescue, communications, training, industry guidelines and ship equipment, systems and structure.
To to this, PAME has convened five meetings where relevants topics have been discussed. The annual meetings have been a succsess with broad participation from relevant experts.
Furthermore, PAME operated the Forum Web-Portal. The Forum maintains a publicly accessible Web portal with information specific to each chapter of the Polar Code, at www.arcticshippingforum.is.
Forum Participants include Arctic States, Permanent Participants and Arctic Council Observers as well as any widely-recognized professional organizations dedicated to improving safe and environmentally sound marine operations in the Arctic as demonstrated by expertise and experience in Arctic shipping and/or related issues.
Forum Operational Documents
- Forum's Terms of Reference
- Methods of Operation
- Factors to be Considered in Selecting Hyperlinks for Posting to the ASBPIF Web Portal
THE POLAR CODE
IMO adopted the Polar Code by means of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
The Polar Code entered into force on 1 January 2017 and is is intended to cover the full range of shipping-related matters relevant to navigation in waters surrounding the two poles – ship design, construction and equipment; operational and training concerns; search and rescue; and, equally important, the protection of the unique environment and eco-systems of the polar regions.
The Polar Code applies to all ships operating in the "Polar Code" area:
See also: Shipping trends in the Polar Code area.
IMO Documents referencing the Forum
Various IMO documents have referenced the Forum over the years. This section lists them.
- 120th meeting by the Council: Relations with intergovernmental organizations: Cooperation with the Arctic Council (note by the Secretary-General)
- 122th meeting by the Council: Relations with intergovernmental organizations: Cooperation with the Arctic Council (note by the IMO Secretary-General)
- 125th meeting by the Council: Relations with intergovernmental organizations - IMO activities and contribution to the work of the Arctic Council (note by the IMO Secretary General)
- Circular Letter No.4009 - Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (by IMO Secretariat)
- Circular Letter No.4208 - Fourth Annual Meeting Of The Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (by IMO Secretariat)
- Circular Letter No.4460 - Fifth Annual Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (16 To 18 November 2021)
- IMO Maritime Safety Committee - Information document 101-INF.18 - Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (submitted by Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russian Federation, Sweden and United States)
- IMO Maritime Safety Committee - Meeting document 104-17-7 - Implementation of IMO's Polar Code (submitted by WWF)
- IMO Maritime Safety Committee - Meeting document 104-17-12: (submitted by Friends of the Earth and Pacific Environment)
IMO Routing measures
The practice of following predetermined routes for shipping originated in 1898 and was adopted, for reasons of safety, by shipping companies operating passenger ships across the North Atlantic. Related provisions were subsequently incorporated into the original SOLAS Convention.
Traffic separation schemes and other ships' routeing systems have been established in most of the major congested, shipping areas of the world, and the number of collisions and groundings has often been dramatically reduced.
IMO's responsibility for ships' routeing is enshrined in SOLAS chapter V, which recognizes the Organization as the only international body for establishing such systems.
IMO Website for Routing Measure, including weather routeing measures.
IMO adopts first shipping routes into the Arctic - Bering Sea/Bering Strait (Gard)
POLAR SHIP CERTIFICATES
SOLAS ships operating in polar waters require a Polar Ship Certificate. This is a new statutory certificate issued by a vessel’s flag administration or its authorized representatives.
The Certificate attests that the ship complies with the ship safety requirements in Part I-A of the Polar Code.
To obtain a Polar Ship Certificate, the shipowner must:
- conduct an operational (risk) assessment of the ship and its intended operations in polar waters;
- prepare a Polar Water Operational Manual (PWOM) specific to the ship, its arrangement and its intended operation in polar waters;
- have the ship surveyed to verify its compliance with the relevant requirements of the Polar Code; and
- apply to its flag administration or authorized representative for the Polar Ship Certificate.
PAME has invited Arctic States and Observer States to submit to PAME information on Polar Ship Certificates that have been issued by or on behalf of their maritime administrations since their last submission of such information. This information is posted to this section in the Web-Portal.
FEATURE:
Media References and Forum Articles
Publications and Presentations about the Forum
- Presentation on the Forum (Michael Kingston and Hjalti Hreinsson) - 2 October 2018, PAME Plenary Meeting, Vladivostok, Russian Federation
- Rules are one thing. Implementation another (Michael Kingston on how the Arctic Shipping Best Practices Information Forum will assist in the harmonised implementation of The Polar Code), Tanker Shipping and Trade, Riviera Media, 11 December 2017.
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Arctic in Focus: Report, Meetings Focus on Adaptation Efforts in the Region.
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IUMI calls for more infrastructure support on Arctic routes.
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Insurance for Arctic Voyages Continues to be Case-By-Case Deal.
Media References
as of 8 November 2021
- The Arctic Council, Spotlight on safe and environmentally sound Arctic shipping with record attendance at the 5th annual meeting of the Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum, (Nov. 19, 2021) (describing the events and presenters for the fifth annual meeting).
- The Arctic, Russia to actively discuss Northern Sea Route at global venues (March 31, 2021) (citing the Forum’s steps to promote Arctic navigation)
- World Meteorological Organization, WMO Services for Polar Waters – collaboration with the Arctic Council (Dec. 2020) (describing the most recent Arctic Consensus Statement on the Seasonal Climate Outlook and regional climate summary, considering the recommendations of the first WMO-IMO International Symposium on Extreme Maritime Weather (2019))
- IMO, Sharing best practices for safer Arctic shipping (Nov. 30, 2020) (explaining the development of safety measures for ships not currently covered by the Polar Code)
- Safety4Sea, Arctic Shipping Forum meets to promote effective implementation of Polar Code (June 12, 2019) (highlighting the importance of the collaboration between the Forum and IMO, specifically noting IMO’s accreditation as an Arctic Council Observer)
- Anchorage Daily News, Alaskans lead the U.S. forward in the Arctic (May 21, 2019) (Alaska describes its participation in addressing Arctic issues, including its role as a subject matter expert on the Forum)
- The Maritime Executive, Arctic Council Launches Shipping Database (Feb. 9, 2019) (generally announcing the launch of the forum's web portal to assist in implementation of the IMO's Polar Code)
- SEC Wire, Chamber of Shipping of America President and CEO Kathy Metcalf, Prepared Testimony Before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee, (December 6, 2018) (President and CEO of the Chamber of Shipping of America discussing Arctic governance issues, citing the value of the Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum)
- IISD SDG Knowledge Hub, Arctic in Focus: Report, Meetings Focus on Adaptation Efforts in the Region (May 31, 2018) (detailing the features of the web portal)
- NewsPress, A look ahead: The Arctic Council in 2018 (Feb. 6, 2018) (Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials describing the Arctic Council’s goals for 2018, specifically noting the Forum’s effort to facilitate information exchange among the Forum's members)
- High North News, The shipping industry and the member states of the Arctic Council have established a new forum for shipping in the Arctic (Sept. 6, 2017) (describing Arctic State support for the Forum to facilitate secure and environmentally friendly shipping in the High North)
- Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators, AECO Presentation at the Arctic Shipping Best Practices Information Forum in London (June 14, 2017) (detailing AECO’s support for the Forum, highlighting the expedition cruise industry’s collaborative approach to industry guidelines and standards)
- Centre for Research & Innovation at NMCI, NMCI takes part in the Arctic Council’s 4th Meeting of the Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (undated)
Related news
Spotlight on safe and environmentally sound Arctic shipping
Record attendance at the 5th annual meeting of the Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum
Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum Sees Record Attendance with Huge Increase in Usage of its Web Portal
Today, the Arctic Council’s Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (the Forum) concluded its fourth annual meeting.
Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum Convenes For the First Time Under Iceland’s Arctic Council Chairmanship
Arctic Council’s Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum convenes for the first time in the Icelandic Chairmanship of the Arctic Council.Lead Working Groups
PAMELead Arctic States & Permanent Participants
CanadaNorway
The United States