Tag: Polar Code

Development of a mandatory code for ships operating in Polar waters

Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) participated in the work of the 93-rd meeting of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 93) of the IMO

Making the Code mandatory under SOLAS IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has approved, in principle, the draft Polar Code and related amendments to make the Code mandatory under SOLAS, with a view to formal adoption at its next session in November. The MSC also adopted important SOLAS amendments related to inert gas systems as well as amendments to a number of treaties to bring into force the mandatory IMO audit scheme. Work on passenger ship safety also continued.The MSC met at the Organization's London headquarters for its 93rd session, from 14 to 23 May 2014.Polar Code and SOLAS amendments approvedThe MSC approved, for consideration with a view to adoption at its November 2014 session (MSC 94), the draft new SOLAS chapter XIV "Safety measures for ships operating in polar waters", which would make mandatory the Introduction and part I-A of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (the Polar Code).The MSC also approved, in principle, the the draft Polar Code, with a view to adoption in conjunction with the adoption of the associated draft new SOLAS chapter XIV.Matters related to the safety of navigation and communication were referred to the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue ...

The IMO's Committee on Maritime Safety (MSC) held its 93rd Session (MSC 93) from Wednesday 14 through Friday 23 May 2014 under the Chairmanship of Mr Christian Breinholt (DENMARK) and his Vice Chair, Captain M Segar of SINGAPORE). 104 Member States attended the meeting during which a drafting group (DG) and two working groups (WG) were subsequently formed and chaired as follows:

Enhancing safety of navigation in polar areas United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) has just approved global binding regulations intending to enhance safety of navigation in polar areas. This means, inter alia, new requirements for passenger ships.Following several years of intense negotiations, the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has today approved a new set of regulations on navigation in Arctic waters. Thus, the IMO has today taken a decisive step towards making the so-called Polar Code internationally binding.The entire palette of navigation in polar areas is covered by the Polar Code - from ship design and construction, over crew training and navigation to improved coordination of search and rescue operations. The Polar Code will apply to passenger ships and cargo ships with a gross tonnage of more than 500."Denmark has been active in placing the Polar Code on the IMO agenda. Therefore, I am extremely pleased that - with the Polar Code - we will now enhance the safety of ships navigating Arctic and Antarctic waters. Denmark has especially been striving to enhance the safety of especially cruise ships navigating Greenland waters. The new internationally binding regulations will also introduce a number of important measures to be taken when navigating ...

Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting held on 12 May 2014 The EU Council welcomed the Joint Communication of the Commission and the High Representative of June 2012 on Developing a European Union Policy towards the Arctic Region, which set out the path for the EU's increased engagement in the Arctic.On the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, 12 May 2014 the Eu Council adopted the following conclusions:The Council took note of the important considerations of the European Parliament in its resolution of 12 March 2014 on the EU strategy for the Arctic. The Arctic is a region of growing strategic importance and the Council agrees that the EU should now further enhance its contribution to Arctic cooperation. Rapid climate change, a major concern and cause of fundamental changes in the Arctic, combined with increased prospects for economic development in the Arctic region call for the EU to engage actively with Arctic partners to assist in addressing the challenge of sustainable development in a prudent and responsible manner.The Council welcomes the significant range of activities the EU is already undertaking in the region across the EU policy spectrum, in particular a valuable contribution to Arctic cooperation through research (20 million/year, 2007-13), ...

IMO MSC 93 to be held from 14 to 23 May 2014 IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) meets at the Organization's London headquarters for its 93rd session, from 14 to 23 May 2014. The MSC is expected to adopt amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) related to lifeboat safety; continue its action plan of work on passenger ship safety, following the Costa Concordia incident; review the draft mandatory Polar Code and related draft SOLAS amendments; adopt amendments to SOLAS and other treaties to make mandatory the IMO Member State Audit Scheme; adopt a number of other important amendments; and consider items submitted by the sub-committees.Lifeboat safety: SOLAS amendments set to be adoptedThe MSC is expected to adopt draft amendments to SOLAS chapter III to make mandatory the Requirements for periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear, which are also expected to be adopted at the session. The MSC is also expected to approve a related draft MSC circular on Guidelines on safety during abandon ship drills using lifeboats, providing additional recommendatory provisions.The package of mandatory and recommendatory measures follows work by IMO to review recommendations previously ...

During MEPC 66th Session, IMO agreed which ships are to be covered by the future environmental regulations for voyages in polar areas.

From 31 March to 4 April 2014, at IMO Headquarters The 66th session of The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met from 31 March to 4 April 2014, at IMO Headquarters in London.The Committee adopted amendments to the MARPOL Convention to set a date for the implementation of "Tier III" standards within emission control areas (ECAs) and to make the IMO Member State Audit Scheme mandatory; reviewed environmental provisions in the draft Polar Code and associated draft amendments to make the Code mandatory, and discussed the implementation of energy-efficiency regulations and the Ballast Water Management and Ship Recycling Conventions.Amendment on implementation date for Tier III adoptedThe MEPC adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, regulation 13, on Nitrogen Oxides (NOX), concerning the date for the implementation of "Tier III" standards within emission control areas (ECAs).The amendments provide for the Tier III NOx standards to be applied to a marine diesel engine that is installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 2016 and which operates in the North American Emission Control Area or the U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area that are designated for the control of NOx emissions.In addition, the Tier III ...

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meets for its 66th session from 31 March to 4 April 2014, at IMO Headquarters in London.