For navigation in ice infested waters, this chapter includes additional requirements for hull and machinery, covered by class notations Ice, PC, and DAV. Requirements to materials for vessels intended to operate for longer periods with low air temperatures are provided in the class notations DAT and DAT-B. Common definitions and terms, definition of ice belt regions and draught marking requirements for all ice classes are included in this section.

For operation in cold temperatures outside polar waters, class notation Winterized specifies required equipment and functional and operation requirements similar to the requirements in the IMO Polar Code.

For operation within polar waters, as defined by IMO Polar Code, class notation Polar specifies both functional and operational requirements, based on the IMO Polar Code.