Question map
Which one of the following statements best describes the 'Polar Code' ?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1.
The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) is a mandatory international framework developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It entered into force on January 1, 2017, to address the unique hazards faced by vessels in the harsh conditions of the Arctic and Antarctic environments.
Why Option 1 is correct:
- It covers the full range of shipping-related matters, including design, construction, equipment, operational training, and environmental protection.
- It ensures safety for seafarers and passengers while mitigating the risk of pollution in sensitive polar ecosystems.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option 2: Territorial demarcations are governed by the UNCLOS, not the Polar Code.
- Option 3: Research norms are generally managed under the Antarctic Treaty System or national guidelines.
- Option 4: The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum; the Polar Code is a specialized technical instrument of the IMO.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Global Commons Governance' question. It bridges Environment (melting ice) and International Relations (maritime law). If a region (Arctic) opens up due to climate change, UPSC asks about the *rules* governing that new frontier.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Is the Polar Code the international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters?
- Statement 2: Is the Polar Code an agreement of countries around the North Pole regarding demarcation of their territories in the polar region?
- Statement 3: Is the Polar Code a set of norms to be followed by countries whose scientists undertake research studies in the North Pole and South Pole?
- Statement 4: Is the Polar Code a trade and security agreement of the member countries of the Arctic Council?
- Explicitly names the Polar Code as the International code of safety for ships operating in polar waters.
- States the Code covers the full range of design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue and environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in polar waters (i.e., safety scope).
- States IMO adopted the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code).
- Notes the Code was made mandatory under SOLAS and MARPOL and entered into force on 1st January 2017, confirming its international legal status.
- Refers to adoption of the new International Code of Safety for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (the Polar Code) in May 2015.
- Describes the Code as imposing stricter regulations for Arctic shipping (design, crew training, environmental protections), supporting that it is a safety-focused international code.
Explicitly states that certain meso-scale polar weather systems are hazards to high-latitude operations, such as shipping, implying a need for special maritime safety measures in polar regions.
A student could infer that because shipping faces unique polar hazards, international bodies might create a targeted safety code (like the Polar Code) and then check maritime regulatory sources for such a code.
Defines 'polar climates' as existing poleward beyond 70° latitude, providing a geographic criterion for what 'polar waters' might encompass.
A student could use this latitude threshold with a world map to delineate waters likely covered by a 'Polar Code' and compare that to any formal code's area of application.
Describes polar coastal hazards (e.g., persistent fog, low visibility, snow/drift) that specifically affect maritime operations near polar shores.
A student could reason that these specific hazards justify tailored ship-safety requirements and then look for an international instrument addressing such hazards.
Identifies locations and persistence of the polar vortex and notes climatological features of the polar regions, useful for understanding which sea areas experience extreme polar conditions.
Using the described vortex centres and seasonal patterns with a map, a student could identify affected sea routes and check whether an international safety code references those regions.
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This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
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This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
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