Between the Polar Code and Article 234: The Balance in Canada’s Arctic Shipping Safety and Pollution Prevention Regulations

Currently there are no mandatory, internationally accepted rules written specifically to govern ship operations in Arctic waters. The Arctic is recognized by the IMO Guidelines for Ships Operating in Polar Waters as a significant area for international shipping that requires special attention to crew training and operational procedures. A legally binding Polar Code which should identify and unify the commonalities of what it takes, and what is currently enforced by flag states, to safely operate in all Arctic nation waters, is viewed by many as a sensible way forward. This paper presents a synopsis of the results of a funded research project that aimed to identify best practices currently in place by Arctic ship operators. It also aimed to identify possible new ways in which shipping operations in the Arctic could maximize benefits and reduce risks to all stakeholders. A review of the scientific literature clearly highlighted the chasms of knowledge regarding the impacts of marine related activity in Arctic waters. With respect to a methodological approach, a website search was conducted to look for shipping companies informing that they were involved in Arctic operations. The website search of Arctic shipping companies helped with the creation of a questionnaire aimed at identifying “best practices” currently in place with Arctic shipping operators. The questionnaire was administered electronically. Subsequently, a number of companies, identified from the website search and representing a pan-Arctic sample of operators, were contacted by email to inquire if they were interested in taking part in the online questionnaire.

Download Full-text

The imo Polar Code: The Emerging Rules of Arctic Shipping Governance

The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law ◽

10.1163/15718085-12341376 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 674-699 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jiayu Bai

Keyword(s):

Environmental Protection ◽

International Maritime Organization ◽

The Arctic ◽

International Code ◽

Polar Code ◽

Arctic Shipping

In the context of the melting icecap and the growing shipping activity in the Arctic, the International Maritime Organization (imo) spent several years preparing polar navigation rules aimed at providing appropriate safety and environmental protection standards. The rules underwent several transformations before emerging as the binding International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code). The Polar Code is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2017. This paper examines the formation and development of the Polar Code and its principles and provisions, expounds upon the unique characteristics of the Code, and discusses expected future practices.

Download Full-text

Design of Steering Gears, Rudders, Rudderstocks, and Propeller Protection for Canadian Arctic Class Vessels

Marine Technology and SNAME News ◽

10.5957/mt1.1980.17.3.267 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 17 (03) ◽

pp. 267-280

Author(s):

N. V. Laskey

Keyword(s):

Pollution Prevention ◽

Canadian Arctic ◽

Bulk Carrier ◽

Arctic Shipping ◽

Design And Construction

Transport Canada's Arctic Shipping Pollution Prevention Regulations table rules for design and construction of Arctic Class vessels. As Arctic shipping projects have remained moribund for years, some items of equipment described in these rules have not been developed or tested. This paper deals with those items, which are listed in the title, and endeavours to establish their significance and the type of hardware to be developed to implement them. An Appendix is included listing the precise regulations pertaining to the equipment. First 28 000-dwt Arctic Class 2 bulk carrier built to Canadian Arctic Shipping Pollution Prevention Regulations

Download Full-text

The emergence of Arctic shipping: issues, threats, costs, and risk-mitigating strategies of the Polar Code

Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs ◽

10.1080/18366503.2015.1093695 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 171-182 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Samrat Ghosh ◽

Christopher Rubly

Keyword(s):

Polar Code ◽

Arctic Shipping

Download Full-text

The Polar Code and the Arctic Marine Environment: Assessing the Regulation of the Environmental Risks of Shipping

The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law ◽

10.1163/15718085-bja10033 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 533-569

Author(s):

Aldo Chircop

Keyword(s):

Marine Environment ◽

Pollution Prevention ◽

Environmental Risks ◽

International Maritime Organization ◽

The Arctic ◽

Environmental Standards ◽

Polar Code ◽

Mandatory Rules ◽

Scope Of Application ◽

The Antarctic

Abstract The Polar Code adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established a new vessel-source pollution prevention standard for Arctic waters, as well as the Antarctic area. The Polar Code consists of mandatory rules and guidance provisions supplementing international rules to address a range of environmental risks posed by ships in polar operations. This article explores the scope of application of the Polar Code and its interface with other pertinent IMO instruments. The article comments on the limits of application of Polar Code standards in addressing pollution prevention and how they are further nourished, supplemented or facilitated by other IMO instruments, both with respect to pollution prevention as well as other environmental risks posed by shipping in the Arctic context. The article identifies shortcomings and gaps and concludes with possible options for Arctic coastal States that may wish to raise environmental standards to mitigate particular risks.

Download Full-text

Polar Code leaves enforcement gap for Arctic shipping

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db209865 ◽

2016 ◽

Keyword(s):

Content Type ◽

Polar Code ◽

Antarctic Waters ◽

Arctic Shipping ◽

International Regulations ◽

Near Term ◽

To Come

Subject The International Maritime Organisation's Polar Code. Significance The International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Polar Code for commercial shipping in Arctic and Antarctic waters will come into effect in less than ten months, on January 1, 2017. Shipping lines, insurers and Polar states have less than a year to come into compliance with stricter international regulations governing maritime activity. However, the agreement leaves unaddressed certain environmental, coverage and enforcement concerns that could threaten the near-term success of the agreement. Impacts Marine insurers will aggressively monitor Polar shipping and may threaten to cancel coverage of non-compliant ships and cargo. As Polar routes become more lucrative, the global shipping community may need to revise how it views flags of convenience. Amid oversupply of conventional commercial shipping, specialised Arctic vessels may offer opportunities to shipbuilders.

Download Full-text

Practice Study on Operation Evaluation and Limitation for Merchant Ships in Polar Water

Hydro Science & Marine Engineering ◽

10.30564/hsme.v1i1.1082 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shifeng Ding ◽

Li Zhou ◽

Chenkang Zhong ◽

Zhengrong Wang

Keyword(s):

Risk Model ◽

Operational Capability ◽

Polar Code ◽

Merchant Ship ◽

Arctic Shipping ◽

Operation Procedure ◽

Set Up ◽

Main Component ◽

Navigation Experience ◽

Polar Water

All environmental hazards impact safety for polar ships, especially polar merchant ship with light ice-class. In order to provide a systematic guidance to deal with any situation during polar operation, International Maritime Organization (IMO) raised mandatory requirements of “Polar Water Operation Manual”(PWOM) in Polar Code. This paper focuses on how to determinate operational evaluation and limitation for the PWOM, which is an important measure to avoid polar ships exceeding operational capability. Features of polar navigation are summarized based on the former polar navigation experience, and typical risk model is set up to describe the process of operation evaluation. The operational limitation is analyzed to indicate the actual capability and limitation as the ship encounters unexpected incident in polar waters. In conclusion, the operation procedure is studied to give a detailed technical proposals for the whole polar operation, which is the main component of PWOM. The outcome may provide helpful to arctic shipping of merchant ships.

Download Full-text