Arctic and Antarctic sea ice conditions remain well below historical averages, creating shorter and more volatile navigation windows for vessels operating in polar regions just as new IMO Polar Code amendments are set to take effect in 2026. Arctic sea ice extent has continued a multi-year decline, with November coverage 1.2 million square kilometers below the 1991–2020 average and thinner ice observed in areas such as the Barents Sea, Baffin Bay, and Kara Sea. In the Antarctic, the ice pack is retreating toward a potentially low summer minimum following a historically weak winter maximum. Against this backdrop, amendments to the IMO Polar Code will expand its scope starting January 1, 2026, to include smaller cargo ships, large pleasure yachts, and fishing vessels, with enhanced requirements for safety systems, ice detection, and detailed voyage planning. BIMCO advises operators to expect highly variable ice conditions driven by short-term winds and ocean heat transport, prioritize real-time ice data, and ensure compliance with the updated Polar Code as polar shipping activity continues to grow.