IMO’s SG speech to cadets at Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping
IMO’s Secretary-General Mr. Koji Sekimizu recently noted the role of IMO in providing safe shipping, particularly in the Arctic, during his speech to cadets atMakarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping in Russia on 19 October 2013.
IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu departed recently for a 5-day Arctic sea voyage as part of a fact-finding mission to the region. The voyage, would give Mr. Sekimizu an opportunity to assess the logistics and supplies required to support Arctic navigation, the need for special qualifications for ships’ officers operating in the region and for the provision of adequate ice-breaking capability.
During his speech at the Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping Mr Koji Sekimizu explained how IMO’s mandate was originally limited to safety-related issues, but subsequently its remit has expanded to embrace environmental considerations, legal matters, technical cooperation, issues that affect the overall efficiency of shipping such as how to deal with stowaways or how a cargo manifest should be transmitted to the authorities ashore; piracy and armed robbery against ships and, most recently, maritime security. Shipping’s growing interest in the Arctic can be observed in a variety of different sectors. Commercial carriers are understandably excited by the apparent benefits of shorter routes.
Mr Koji Sekimizu said “The development of these sea routes is of enormous strategic importance and promises to open up a new era of reduced shipping time for a number of key trades between Europe and Asia.The oil and gas industries are showing an increasing interest in the Arctic, as large and, so far, mainly un-tapped resources are known to be present in the area.All of which will inevitably lead to more local activity, as the infrastructure needed to support it is developed. Numbers of tugs, barges, supply vessels, ferries, workboats and so on will all increase as the region is developed.With this rapid development comes a host of new challenges, principally in the areas of safety, environmental protection and provision of the necessary infrastructure to support this upsurge in activity.Special problems exist for navigation and communication, too.” According to IMO’s Secretary General, there is currently a scarcity of accurate, up-to-date charts; huge areas lack accurate hydrographic data. Coverage from satellite-based and land-based positioning systems is not extensive, and satellite communication systems have limited reach in the polar regions.The sheer remoteness of the region means there is very little maritime infrastructure in place.
Mr Sekimizu explained that facilities for vessel traffic management, search and rescue, pollution clean-up, waste reception and so on will all need to be developed. Towage and salvage provision will need to be considered, as will places of refuge for vessels that find themselves in difficulty.
“More icebreakers will need to be built and this is an area the Russian Government is working on.Earlier this year, I experienced at first hand navigation in the Northern Sea Route when I undertook a 1,700-mile voyage from the Kara Sea to the East Siberian Sea aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pebedy. During the voyage I was able to observe closely the operation of the vessel, communication systems, charts and other navigational aids, and to assess the development of the search and rescue coordination centres at Dikson in the Kara Sea and Pevek in the East Siberian Sea.”, said Mr Sekimizu.
IMO has adopted important guidelines for vessels operating in remote areas, such as the 2006 Guide for Cold Water Survival and the 2007 Guidelines on Voyage Planning for Passenger Ships Operating in Remote Areas. Moreover, the 2010 Manila Amendments to the Convention on Standards for Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) provide for new training guidance for personnel serving on board ships operating in polar waters, thus constituting a first step in strengthening standards for polar seafaring.
According to Mr. Koji Sekimizu the most important initiative for the development of appropriate safety and environmental regulation for Arctic shipping is the development of a mandatory polar code – which is currently underway at IMO.
Mr. Koji Sekimizu added that the move to develop the Polar Code followed the adoption in 2009 of Guidelines for ships operating in polar waters, which address additional provisions deemed necessary beyond the requirements of existing conventions.
“Whereas the Guidelines are recommendatory, the IMO membership has agreed that the Polar Code would be a mandatory instrument, setting out internationally binding requirements appropriate for the severe environmental conditions of the polar areas, over and above those already contained in existing instruments.”
Read also the Safety4Sea article