Image (c) Maksim Rumiantcev/shutterstock.com
The International Maritime Organization this week adopted the
pollution prevention provisions of the long-awaited ‘Polar Code’,
setting the first-ever international environmental and safety standards
for ships trading in the world’s polar regions.
The environmental portion of the International Code for ships
operating in polar waters (Polar Code) and associated MARPOL amendments
were adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC)
during its 68th session held from May 11 to 15 at IMO Headquarters in
London.
The Polar Code is the first mandatory blanket legislation for ships
that specifically addresses potential hazards unique to arctic and
antarctic environments, such as ice, remoteness and rapidly changing and
severe weather conditions, covering the full range of design,
construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue and
environmental protection matters.
Because it contains both safety and
environment related provisions, the Polar Code will be mandatory under
both International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and
the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
(MARPOL).
Infographic: What the Polar Code Means for Ship Safety
The environmental provisions include amendments that will help
prevent pollution from ships by prohibiting the discharge of oil and
noxious liquid substances into the sea, and regulating the discharge of
sewage and garbage.
The adoption into MARPOL follows the adoption by the Maritime Safety
Committee (MSC) in December 2014 of safety-related (SOLAS) requirements
of the Code. (See Also: IMO Adopts Polar Code SOLAS Requirements)
While the adoption of the Polar Code is considered by many as a major
step forward for shipping in the arctic, critics argue that the Code
will fail to protect the Arctic and Antarctic environments because it
does not fully prevent the discharge of raw sewage into the sea, require
new practices to protect against invasive species, or adequately
equip ships and crews to deal with minor spills.
The complete Polar Code is expected to enter into force on January 1,
2017 and will apply to new ships constructed on or after January 1,
2017. Ships constructed before that date will be required to meet the
relevant requirements by the first intermediate or renewal survey before
January 1, 2018. ?
Polar Code Environmental Bullet Points:
- Prevention of pollution by oil: discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixtures from any ship is prohibited. Oil fuel tanks must be separated from outer shell;
- Prevention of pollution by noxious liquid substances: discharge into the sea of noxious liquid substances, or mixtures containing such substances is prohibited;
- Prevention of pollution by sewage; discharge of sewage is prohibited unless performed in line with MARPOL Annex IV and requirements in the Polar Code; and
- Prevention of pollution by garbage: discharge of garbage is restricted and only permitted in accordance with MARPOL Annex V and requirements in the Polar Code
//------------------------------//
The International Maritime Organization has fully the landmark “Polar Code”, the first mandatory blanket legislation for the improved safety of ships operating in the world’s polar regions. The new Code specifically addresses potential hazards unique to arctic and antarctic environments, such as ice, remoteness and rapidly changing and severe weather conditions.
But what exactly does the new Polar Code mean for ship safety? This infographic explains it:
C
The Polar Code will be mandatory under both SOLAS and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
The date of entry into force of the Polar Code and related SOLAS amendments is 1 January 2017 for new ships constructed after that date. Ships constructed before 1 January 2017 will be required to meet the relevant requirements of the Polar Code by the first intermediate or renewal survey, whichever occurs first, after 1 January 2018.
You can read more about the Polar Code’s SOLAS amendments HERE and MARPOL amendments HERE.
The International Maritime Organization has fully the landmark “Polar Code”, the first mandatory blanket legislation for the improved safety of ships operating in the world’s polar regions. The new Code specifically addresses potential hazards unique to arctic and antarctic environments, such as ice, remoteness and rapidly changing and severe weather conditions.
But what exactly does the new Polar Code mean for ship safety? This infographic explains it:
CThe Polar Code will be mandatory under both SOLAS and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
The date of entry into force of the Polar Code and related SOLAS amendments is 1 January 2017 for new ships constructed after that date. Ships constructed before 1 January 2017 will be required to meet the relevant requirements of the Polar Code by the first intermediate or renewal survey, whichever occurs first, after 1 January 2018.
You can read more about the Polar Code’s SOLAS amendments HERE and MARPOL amendments HERE.