Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Action Date: Immediate
Dear All,
This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about the issuance of MCI Circular 340/2026 by the Maritime Cook Islands which provides the Maritime Cook Islands’ policies for implementing the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (“Polar Code” or the “Code”), which entered into force on 1 January 2017.
This Circular supersedes MCI Circ. 153/2017.
The Applicability section has been revised to incorporate recent amendments to the Polar Code and associated amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter XIV. They expand the Polar Code’s applicability to certain non-SOLAS vessels and take effect from 1 January 2026. Additionally, s 4.2 has been updated to clarify the application provisions of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex I, Regulation 43A concerning the Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) use and carriage prohibition in Arctic waters.
For the full text please follow the link bellow.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr. or Maritime Cook Island’s Technical Department at technical@maritimecookislands.com
PHRS Head Office – April 03, 2026