A new IMO infographic illustrating “How the Polar Code protects the environment” has been launched in six languages. It depicts the various environmental requirements and recommendations of the Polar Code relating to oil, sewage, garbage, chemicals and invasive species.
The infographic is available in six languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. This builds on a previous infographic showing what the Polar Code means for ship safety.
(click on image for a larger view)
The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) will enter into force on 1 January 2017 and applies to ships operating in Arctic and Antarctic waters. It provides for safe ship operation and protects the environment by addressing the unique risks present in polar waters but not covered by other treaties.
Polar Code protects the environment from preventing discharges of :
OIL
- Discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixtures from any ship is prohibited
- Double hull and double bottom required for all oil
tankers, including those less than 5,000dwt (A/B ships constructed on or after 1 January 2017) - Heavy fuel oil is banned in the Antarctic (under MARPOL). Ships are encouraged not to use or carry heavy fuel oil in the Arctic
- Consider using non-toxic biodegradable lubricants or water-based systems in lubricated components outside the underwater hull with direct seawater interfaces
SEWAGE
- No discharge of sewage in polar waters allowed (except under specific circumstances)
- Discharge is permitted if ship has an approved sewage treatment plant, and discharges treated sewage as far as practicable from the nearest land, any fast ice, ice shelf, or areas of specified ice concentration.
- Sewage not comminuted or disinfected can be discharged at a distance of more than 12nm from any ice shelf or fast ice
- Comminuted and disinfected sewage can be discharged more than 3nm from any ice shelf or fast ice
GARBAGE
- All disposal of plastics prohibited (under MARPOL)
- Discharge of food wastes onto the ice is prohibited
- Food wastes which have been comminuted or ground (no greater than 25mm) can be discharged only when ship is not less than 12nm from the nearest land, nearest ice shelf, or nearest fast ice
- Discharge of animal carcasses is prohibited
- Cargo residues, cleaning agents or additives in hold washing water may only be discharged if: they are not harmful to the marine environment; both departure and destination ports are within Arctic waters; and there are no adequate reception facilities at those ports. The same requirements apply to Antarctic area under MARPOL
CHEMICALS
- Discharge of noxious liquid substances (NLS) or mixtures containing NLS is prohibited in polar waters
Source: IMO
