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IMO MEPC meets for 66th session next week

From March 31 to April 4, 2014 at IMO Headquarters, London 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. Items on the agenda includethe consideration of proposed amendments to the MARPOL to make the audit scheme mandatory; the review of environmental provisions in the draft Polar Code and associated draft amendments to make the Code mandatory, andthe implementation of energy-efficiency regulations and the Ballast Water Management and Ship Recycling Conventions.Draft amendments to MARPOL to make auditing mandatory set for adoptionThe MEPC will consider, with a view to adoption, draft amendments to MARPOL Annexes I through to VI to make the use of the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) mandatory. The draft amendments add definitions and regulations relating to "verification of compliance", thereby making the IMO Audit Scheme mandatory under MARPOL.The III Code was adopted by the IMO Assembly in 2013. Similar amendments to other IMO treaties are also in the process of being adopted, to make the Audit Scheme mandatory once the relevant amendments enter into force in 2016.Draft amendment on implementation date for Tier III to be ...

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IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment Outcome

1st Session, 10- 14 March 2014 The IMO's Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment held its 1st session (SSE 1) from Monday 10 through Friday 14 March 2014 under the chairmanship of Dr S Ota (JAPAN) and his Vice-Chair, Mr K Hunter (UK); both were subsequently re-elected for 2015. This Sub-Committee, acronym SSE, has assumed responsibility for many matters formerly dealt with by DE, FP and SLF; the remaining issues became the province of SDC (Ship Design and Construction) in line with the new, leaner IMO Sub-Committee structure.Three working groups (WG) were formed as follows:WG1 Fire Protection, Mr Eberly (USA)WG2 Life-Saving Appliances, Mr Yoshida (JAPAN)WG3 Onboard Lifting Appliances and Winches, Mr Lakeman (NL)Also, one drafting group (DG) was formed as followsDG1 Consideration of IACS Revised Unified Interpretations and proposed amendments to MARPOL Annex 1, Mrs Kristensen (NORWAY)Meeting HighlightsShips carrying hydrogen and compressed natural gas, vehiclesWG1 produced a draft MSC Circular, subsequently agreed by the Sub-Committee for submission to MSC 93, which recommends that the shipper should provide a signed certificate or declaration that the vehicle fuel system, as offered for carriage, has been checked for leak-tightness and the vehicle is in proper condition for carriage prior to loading. In addition, ...

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ICS issues its position paper on Arctic Shipping

Focus on the regulation of ships navigation Arctic waters ICS has issued its position paper on Arctic Shipping which has become a key topic of focus at the IMO.Reported changes to the world's climate appear to be increasing the accessibility of the Arctic tointernational shipping.These changes, as well as new interest in developing the Arctic's naturalresources, are likely to increase shipping traffic navigating through the region.As the volume of Arctic shipping gradually increases, there is a growing awarenessand concern within the international community about the potential sensitivity ofArctic ecosystems to the impact of such activity and the necessity for a high degree ofcare when ships navigate Arctic waters. These concerns are fully acknowledgedand shared by international ship operators, as represented by ICS which istotally committed to the protection of the environment and theprevention of pollution.ICS position paper intends to establish some key principles with respect to the governance of maritime activity in the Arctic and the regulation of ships navigating in Arctic waters.When finalised, it is anticipated that the InternationalCode of Safety for Ships Operating in Polar Waters ('PolarCode') will become mandatory through amendments tothe IMO Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) and theIMO Convention for the Prevention of ...

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IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction Outcome

Session 1, from 20 to 24 January 2014 The International Maritime Organization(IMO)held its 1st session of theSub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction, from 20 to 24 January 2014 in London, headquarters. During the Sub- Committee important issues on Polar Code discussed and measures adopted as follows:Draft mandatory Polar Code and amendments agreed in principleThe draft text of the mandatory international code for ships operating in polar waters (Polar Code) and proposed draft amendments to IMO's safety and pollution prevention treaties to make it mandatory, were agreed, in principle, by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC), which was meeting for its first session (following the restructuring of IMO Sub-Committees).The draft Polar Code covers the full range of design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue and environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in the inhospitable waters surrounding the two poles.The draft Polar Code includes mandatory measures covering safety part (part I-A) and pollution prevention (part II-A) and recommendatory provisions for both (parts I-B and II-B).The Code would require ships intending to operating in the defined waters of the Antarctic and Arctic to apply for a Polar Ship Certificate, which would classify the vessel as Category A ship - ...

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IMO’s Polar Code ignores environmental dangers

Increased Arctic and Antarctic shipping The new draft Polar Code' of safety and environmental rules fails to address the looming danger of having non ice-strengthened and poorly prepared ships in supposedly ice-free' polar waters, environmental organisations have warned. The final draft, drawn up by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), governs ships operating in Arctic and Antarctic waters. Increased shipping activity poses significant new threats to the polar environment and wildlife through oil spills, black carbon deposition, sewage discharges and the introduction of invasive species. The IMO reached preliminary agreement on rules for the vessels, which will increasingly include oil tankers, container ships and cruise ships potentially operated by crew not accustomed to such harsh conditions. Blinded by the prospect of ice-free' operations enabled by the sea ice melt, the IMO makes the fateful assumption that these ships can safely operate without special hull protection or restrictions such as reduced speed.The Polar Code's environmental chapter also lacks ambition. Residual' heavy ship fuel oil, the dirtiest type of fuel used in the transport sector, would have a catastrophic environmental impact if spilled and is already banned in Antarctic waters, but the IMO dismissed the issue outright for the Arctic. Black carbon emissions ...

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