ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses to which extent the adoption of the Polar Code shall positively influence the Arctic navigation and mitigate associated risks. It identifies the remaining gaps and suggests recommendations for addressing such risks. The chapter provides an overview of Arctic shipping law before the new International Maritime Organization (IMO) Polar Code. It addresses adoption and implementation issues of the Polar Code. The chapter examines the basic structure of Arctic shipping law and its interaction with the international legal framework in the aftermath of the code implementation. The provisions of relevance dealing with Arctic navigation are not numerous while very important. The Law of the Sea sets out general rules applicable to all waters and contains some specific provisions for ice-covered areas. Due to their global scope of application, the IMO instruments dealing with safety and environmental protection are mostly applicable in the Arctic.
