Ensuring Safe, Secure and Reliable Shipping in the Arctic Ocean

Abstract

The paper presents an overview of progress from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regarding various requirements for ships operating in polar waters, with special emphasis on the requirements for the Arctic, including provisions concerning matters such as stability, life-saving appliances, navigation, guidelines for ships operating in polar waters, special area status, carriage requirements for heavy grade fuel oil, certification of ice navigators, and fishing vessels. Relevant international conventions include the following: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS 1974) http://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%201184/v1184.pdf.; 1973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78) http://treaties.un.org/untc//Pages//doc/Publication/UNTS/%20Volume%201340/volume-1340-I-22484-English.pdf.); International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 1978) http://www.admiraltylawguide.com/conven/stcw1978.html.); and Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessel, 1977, as modified by the Torremolinos Protocol of 1993 relating thereto http://www.ecolex.org/server2.php/libcat/docs/TRE/Multilateral/En/TRE001173.doc.). IMO’s ongoing work on the development of a mandatory International Code of Safety for Ships Operating in Polar Waters is described in some detail. The paper also briefly touches on relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) as well as on other international requirements and activities concerning the subject in which IMO is directly or indirectly involved.

Views expressed in this paper are those of the author and should not be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of International Maritime Organization or its Secretariat.