IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) has adopted the environmental part of the International Code for ships operating in polar waters (Polar Code) and associated Marpol amendments to make it mandatory.
Through IMO's Polar Code, ships trading in the Polar Regions will have to comply with strict safety and environmental provisions specific to the harsh conditions in the Arctic and Antarctic. MEPC adopted the code at its 68th session from 11 to 15 May.
Polar Code
The Polar Code covers the full range of design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue and environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in waters surrounding the two poles.
The newly-adopted environmental provisions cover:
- 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.
Solas Amendments
The adoption of the environmental provisions follows Maritime Safety Committee's (MSC) adoption in December 2014 of the safety-related requirements of the Polar Code and related amendments to make it mandatory under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (Solas). The complete Polar Code, encompassing the safety-related and environment-related requirements, is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2017.
The Polar Code will apply to new ships constructed on or after 1 January 2017. Ships constructed before that date 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.
