That is true. They're being designed to go through first-year ice, and I believe it's about a metre thick. However, the thicker the ice gets--and I am not an expert in Arctic navigation, per se--the fewer vessels you have transiting those waters. You have those waters to enforce the regulations on, but there are far fewer vessels capable of transiting those waters when the ice gets far thicker. They go hand in hand.
On April 2nd, 2009. See this statement in context.