Older projects

Friends of the Earth International

Hyperlink 1: https://1bps6437gg8c169i0y1drtgz-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MEPC-72-INF.7-An-assessment-of-ballast-water-treatment-to-protect-Arctic-waters-FOEI.pdf
This is an assessment of ballast water treatment to protect Arctic waters. This document offers in the annex a comprehensive analysis of shipboard ballast water management system performance, based on available data.

Hyperlink 2: https://1bps6437gg8c169i0y1drtgz-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MEPC-73-INF.24-Vessel-biofouling-and-bioinvasions-in-Arctic-waters-FOEI.pdf
This is a paper on vessel biofouling and bioinvasions in Arctic waters. Friends of the Earth offers an independent report, set forth in the annex, that provides findings and recommendations concerning vessel coatings and the protection of Arctic waters from bioinvasions.

Hyperlink 1: The Polar Code: A Regulatory Interpretation Guide
This document provides Loyd's Register guidance on all aspects of the Polar Code (chapter by chapter). For Part IIA Chapter 5, see pages 81 to 82.

Hyperlink 2: Meeting the Polar Code on 1 January 2017: Guidance for Existing Ships (Part IIA)
This document includes information on what steps operators need to take to ensure compliance when operating in polar waters on or after 1 January 2017, when the Polar Code entered into force.

Lloyd's website

USCG Maritime Information Exchange

Hyperlink 1: Northern Sea Route – Best practices and Challenges (2017)
For Chapter 5, see pages 3-4, and 14.

Hyperlink 2: Offshore Vessel Operations In Ice and or Severe Sub Zero Temperatures in Artic and Sub Artic regions (2014).
The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance to operators and charterers of offshore support vessels employed for use in areas impacted by ice or severe sub-zero temperatures with the aim of encouraging high standards of safety and environmental protection for those operating in Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions.

Hyperlink: https://cgmix.uscg.mil/MARPOL/Default.aspx
The purpose of the Coast Guard Maritime Information Exchange (CGMIX) website is to make Coast Guard maritime information available on the public internet in the form of searchable databases. For Ships Operating in the US Arctic and Near Arctic the CGMIX Public Database includes a link to MARPOL Servicing Facilities.

This online searchable database contains a listing of all U.S. Ports and Terminals holding valid MARPOL Certificates of Adequacy (COAs). Ships operating in the Arctic are subject to additional restrictions relating to discharges of Annex I Oil/Oily residue, Annex II Noxious Liquid Substances, Annex V Garbage including food waste, and Annex VI Ozone Depleting Substances and Stack Scrubber residues. U.S. Ports and Terminals are issued Certificates of Adequacy (COAs) as evidence that their facilities meet the requirements of Annexes I, II, and V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

Adequate port reception facilities (PRF) at Arctic and near Arctic ports and terminals are meant to ensure ships can comply with enhanced restrictions on discharges from ships to the sea outlined in the Polar Code. US MARPOL regulations are further detailed in 33 CFR Part158. http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_06/33cfr158_06.html

Additional resources include: -The World Port Index published by the (US) National Geospatial Agency which provides Marine Safety Information on ports and terminals around the world. This publication gives the location, characteristics, known facilities, and available services of a great many ports and shipping facilities and oil terminals throughout the world and can be downloaded as a PDF document. The data is arranged geographically and is keyed to the applicable Volume of the Sailing Directions and shown on a chart. https://msi.nga.mil/MSISiteContent/StaticFiles/NAV_PUBS/WPI/Pub150bk.pdf.

The IMO's Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) which includes databases on pollution prevention equipment for ships and MARPOL port reception facilities. The public, searchable databases are arranged by Member States (including all eight Arctic Council states) and provide contact information for ports and terminals including those in Arctic regions. Information on ships waste management in the form of IMO Guidance can be downloaded from the website for ships and PRF operators. The guidance while not specific to Arctic shipping will be useful for ship operators planning on voyaging in Arctic or near Arctic waters. (MEPC.1/Circ.834.Rev.1) in English, French and Spanish. GISIS Data Base: https://gisis.imo.org/Public/Default.aspx

Guidance (Free Download from the GISIS site): https://gisis.imo.org/Public/Shared/Public/Download.aspx?FileType=UnsecuredFile&FileCode=PRF-GUIDE

PAME

Hyperlink: https://pame.is/images/03_Projects/RRFP/Final_report_on_the_Regional_Reception_Facilities_plan_and_draft_submission_for_IMO.pdf
The Regional Waste Management Strategies for Arctic Shipping (RRFP) paper summarizes the work of PAME’s Regional Reception Facilities Experts Group (RRFGEG), on the development of the concept of regional arrangements for MARPOL reception facilities (RRF) to address challenges for Arctic shipping and at Arctic ports. This paper includes proposals for the development of regional ship’s waste management strategies with the goal of 100% compliance with IMO’s MARPOL Convention and Polar Code Amendments to MARPOL.

The Environment Agency of Iceland

Hyperlink: https://www.ust.is/the-environment-agency-of-iceland/
The Environment Agency operates under the direction of the Ministry for the Environment. It's role is to promote the protection as well as sustainable use of Iceland’s natural resources, as well as public welfare by helping to ensure a healthy environment, and safe consumer goods. The Agency is responsible for implementing the MARPOL convention.

PART IIA: CHAPTER 5 – PREVENTION OF POLLUTION BY GARBAGE FROM SHIPS: Full Polar Code text
As adopted from IMO - Full Polar Code text

PART IIA: CHAPTER 5: Full Polar Code text

5.1 Definitions

5.1.1 Ice-shelf means a floating ice sheet of considerable thickness showing 2 to 50 m or more above sea-level, attached to the coast
5.1.2 Fast ice means sea ice which forms and remains fast along the coast, where it is attached to the shore, to an ice wall, to an ice front, between shoals or grounded icebergs

5.2 Operational requirements

5.2.1 In Arctic waters, discharge of garbage into the sea permitted in accordance with regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex V, shall meet the following additional requirements:
- .1 discharge into the sea of food wastes is only permitted when the ship is as far as practicable from areas of ice concentration exceeding 1/10, but in any case not less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land, nearest ice-shelf, or nearest fast ice;
- .2 food wastes shall be comminuted or ground and shall be capable of passing through a screen with openings no greater than 25 mm. Food wastes shall not be contaminated by any other garbage type;
- .3 food wastes shall not be discharged onto the ice;
- .4 discharge of animal carcasses is prohibited; and
- .5 discharge of cargo residues that cannot be recovered using commonly available methods for unloading shall only be permitted while the ship is en route and where all the following conditions are satisfied:
  - .1 cargo residues, cleaning agents or additives, contained in hold washing water do not include any substances classified as harmful to the marine environment, taking into account guidelines developed by the Organization;
  - .2 both the port of departure and the next port of destination are within Arctic waters and the ship will not transit outside Arctic waters between those ports;
  - .3 no adequate reception facilities are available at those ports taking into account guidelines developed by the Organization; and
  - .4 where the conditions of subparagraphs 5.2.1.5.1, 5.2.1.5.2 and 5.2.1.5.3 of this paragraph have been fulfilled, discharge of cargo hold washing water containing residues shall be made as far as practicable from areas of ice concentration exceeding 1/10, but in any case not less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land, nearest ice shelf, or nearest fast ice.
5.2.2 In the Antarctic area, discharge of garbage into the sea permitted in accordance with regulation 6 of MARPOL Annex V, shall meet the following additional requirements:
- .1 discharges under regulation 6.1 of MARPOL Annex V shall be as far as practicable from areas of ice concentration exceeding 1/10, but in any case not less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest fast ice; and
- .2 food waste shall not be discharged onto ice.
5.2.3 Operation in polar waters shall be taken into account, as appropriate, in the Garbage Record Book, Garbage Management Plan and the placards as required by MARPOL Annex V.

POLAR CODE CHAPTERS: EXPLANATION AND SUBMISSIONS

Chapter 1: General
Chapter 2: Polar Water Operation Manual
Chapter 3: Ship structure
Chapter 4: Subdivision and stability
Chapter 5: Watertight and weathertight integrity
Chapter 6: Machinery installations
Chapter 7: Fire safety/Protection
Chapter 8: Life saving appliances and arrangements
Chapter 9: Safety of navigation
Chapter 10: Communication
Chapter 11: Voyage planning
Chapter 12: Manning and training

CHAPTER SUMMARY

In Arctic waters, discharges of sewage are prohibited, except when performed in accordance with MARPOL Annex IV. This chapter contains important geographical delimitations for discharges where approved sewage treatment plants are in operation. See full text of Chapter 4 below.

SUBMISSIONS

Friends of the Earth International

Hyperlink 1: The Polar Code: A Regulatory Interpretation Guide
This document provides Loyd's Register guidance on all aspects of the Polar Code (chapter by chapter). For Part IIA Chapter 4, see pages 81 to 82.

Hyperlink 2: Meeting the Polar Code on 1 January 2017: Guidance for Existing Ships (Part IIA)
This document includes information on what steps operators need to take to ensure compliance when operating in polar waters on or after 1 January 2017, when the Polar Code entered into force.

Lloyd's website

The Environment Agency of Iceland

Hyperlink 1: Northern Sea Route – Best practices and Challenges (2017)
For Chapter 4, see pages 3-4, and 14.

Hyperlink 2: Offshore Vessel Operations In Ice and or Severe Sub Zero Temperatures in Artic and Sub Artic regions (2014).
The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance to operators and charterers of offshore support vessels employed for use in areas impacted by ice or severe sub-zero temperatures with the aim of encouraging high standards of safety and environmental protection for those operating in Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions.

World Meterological Organization

Hyperlink: http://www.jcomm.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=135&Itemid=37
The Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) provides coordination, guidance, and proposes technical regulations and standards to WMO and IOC on aspects related to forecasting marine coastal hazards, including in polar regions.

WMO website

PART IIA: CHAPTER 4 – PREVENTION OF POLLUTION BY SEWAGE FROM SHIPS: Full Polar Code text
As adopted from IMO - Full Polar Code text

PART IIA: CHAPTER 4 - Full Polar Code text

4.1 Definitions

4.1.1 Constructed means a ship the keel of which is laid or which is at a similar stage of construction.
4.1.2 Ice-shelf means a floating ice sheet of considerable thickness showing 2 to 50 m or more above sea-level, attached to the coast.
4.1.3 Fast ice means sea ice which forms and remains fast along the coast, where it is attached to the shore, to an ice wall, to an ice front, between shoals or grounded icebergs.

4.2 Operational requirements

4.2.1 Discharges of sewage within polar waters are prohibited except when performed in accordance with MARPOL Annex IV and the following requirements:
- .1 the ship is discharging comminuted and disinfected sewage in accordance with regulation 11.1.1 of MARPOL Annex IV at a distance of more than 3 nautical miles from any ice-shelf or fast ice and shall be as far as practicable from areas of ice concentration exceeding 1/10; or
- .2 the ship is discharging sewage that is not comminuted or disinfected in accordance with regulation 11.1.1 of MARPOL Annex IV and at a distance of more than 12 nautical miles from any ice-shelf or fast ice and shall be as far as practicable from areas of ice concentration exceeding 1/10; or
- .3 the ship has in operation an approved sewage treatment plant certified by the Administration to meet the operational requirements in either regulation 9.1.1 or 9.2.1 of MARPOL Annex IV, and discharges sewage in accordance with regulation 11.1.2 of Annex IV and shall be as far as practicable from the nearest land, any ice-shelf, fast ice or areas of ice concentration exceeding 1/10.
4.2.2 Discharge of sewage into the sea is prohibited from category A and B ships constructed on or after 1 January 2017 and all passenger ships constructed on or after 1 January 2017, except when such discharges are in compliance with paragraph 4.2.1.3 of this chapter.
4.2.3 Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 4.2.1, category A and B ships that operate in areas of ice concentrations exceeding 1/10 for extended periods of time, may only discharge sewage using an approved sewage treatment plant certified by the Administration to meet the operational requirements in either regulation 9.1.1 or 9.2.1 of MARPOL Annex IV. Such discharges shall be subject to the approval by the Administration.

POLAR CODE CHAPTERS: EXPLANATION AND SUBMISSIONS

Alaska Maritime Prevention & Response Network (Network)

CHAPTER SUMMARY

In Arctic waters any discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixtures from any ship shall be prohibited. Operations in Polar Waters, in accordance with MARPOL Annex I, must take into account procedures for oil or oily mixtures which must be documented in the Oil Record Books, manuals and the shipboard oil pollution emergency plan or the shipboard marine pollution emergency plan. Additionally, there are specific structural requirements for ships operating in Polar Waters. See full text of Chapter 1 below.

Additional Guidance for Chapter 1 (Part II-B):
The additional guidance advises operators on the selection of stern tube lubricants, such as non-toxic biodegradable lubricants or water-based systems, and make structural and engineering suggestions. See full text of additional guidance.

SUBMISSIONS

The Alaska Network is a non-profit organization governed by industry representatives and funded by participating vessel owner/operators that provides vessels operating in Western Alaska and the U.S. Arctic with best management practices and response capabilities. The Network has over 450 vessel companies from around the world representing over 3,500 vessels enrolled in its programs.

The Alaska Network provides access to over 17 oil spill response resource caches throughout Western Alaska and the Arctic. By enrolling in the Alaska Network program vessel operators gain access to the largest inventory of oil spill response equipment available in the U.S. Arctic. Enrollment and response agreements have been determined to conform to contractual provisions by the International Group of P&I Clubs. For information on enrolling in the Alaska Network and gaining access to this unparrelled response resource inventory click here.

Arctic Institute of North America

Hyperlink: https://www.genice.ca/home

AINA is a partner in a 4 year project - GENICE - which is to address the need to develop preparedness and response strategies for fuel spills in Arctic waters. The project brings together a broadly interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral team to combine cutting-edge genomics, analytical chemistry, and sea-ice geophysics with economic, policy and end-user expertise to focus on the role of and potential for bioremediation of fuel spills in the Arctic marine environment. The overarching objectives of the project are to generate baseline microbial genomics data for the Hudson Bay Corridor, conduct a series of bioremediation viability case studies, develop recommendations on technology-based emergency spill response strategies, and define best practices for knowledge sharing, capacity building for spill-response, and policy development; each of these objectives is informed by genomics.

This work is relevant to the Polar Code Part IIA: Pollution Prevention Measures Chapter 1. Prevention of Pollution by Oil in particular and outcomes could potentially be used to support decision making with respect to response to incidents and counter-pollution activities such as oil pollution combating strategies, spill response, pollution prevention equipment for ships, and shipping route designation.

International Ice Charting Working Group

Hyperlink: http://nsidc.org/noaa/iicwg/
For Arctic shipping, the website of the International Ice Charting Working Group (IICWG) most importantly provides contact information for all of the national ice services in the world, including 24/7 emergency access to ice information. Additionally, the site provides information about IICWG activities, summaries and presentations from annual IICWG meetings, documents on standards, and links to other ice information sites.

IICWH website

Bonn Agreement

Hyperlink 1: Bonn Publications
Bonn Agreement Counter Pollution Manual
Over the years, the Bonn Agreement has adopted a number of decisions to facilitate joint operations to combat pollution or to put the Bonn Agreement into practice. These decisions and other practical information are contained in the Bonn Agreement Counter Pollution Manual. This Manual, which is regularly updated, comprises three volumes: Volume 1 on information needed for counter-pollution operations, Volume 2 containing general reference material concerning the policy/strategy of pollution combating and Volume 3 on the administration related to incidents.

The Bonn Agreement technical working group OTSOPA keeps the Manual under review to ensure that best available technologies are being used.

Hyperlink 2: Bonn Projects
To facilitate the work of the Contracting Parties in preventing, and responding to, pollution incidents in the North Sea, The Bonn Agreement is involved in projects which further it’s operational and strategic aims. BE-AWARE I and BE-AWARE II produced the first area-wide risk assessments of marine pollution in the North Sea and the potential impacts of a pollution incident. HNS-MS, ARCOPOL, MARINIER and MARPOCS are related, but external projects intended to aid in the preparedness and response capability to Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) spills.

Inside Projects

BE-AWARE I: The BE-AWARE project was a two year initiative (2012-2014), co-financed by the European Union, which aimed to quantitively identify the risk and magnitude of mineral oils spills, in the Bonn Agreement area and undertake a qualitative risk assessment for hazardous and noxious substances.
BE-AWARE II: BE-AWARE II was a two year initiative (2013-2015), also co-financed by the European Union, which aimed to utilise the results of BE-AWARE I to model the effects of 10 risk reducing and response scenarios through a combination of oil spill modelling and environmental and socioeconomic sensitivity analysis. Therefore identifying sub regional risk management conclusions for 2020.
HNS-MS project: The HNS-MS Project (2015-2016) is a 2-year project on a decision support tool for Harmful and Noxious Substances (HNS).
ARCOPOL: The ARCOPOL projects ran between 2009 - 2015 with an aim to reinforce the preparedness and response to both oil and HNS spills in the Atlantic regions.
MARINER: THe project ran from 2016 - 2017 and builds on the ARCOPOL projects and focuses on improving planning, preparedness and response to HNS spills.
MARPOCS: The project, active between 2016 - 2017 in an Atlantic sub-region, works towards an integrated framework for preparedness and response to oil and HNS spills.

Hyperlink 3: North Sea Manual on Maritime Oil Pollution Offences
The manual describes the authorities and procedures involved in prosecuting discharge offences at sea focusing on the international aspects and practice in Bonn Agreement countries. (January 2010 English only).

Hyperlink 4: Response to Incidents
Despite efforts to increase maritime safety there will always be the risk of incidents. With a combination of growing levels of maritime transportation and the expansion of other human activities, such as renewable energy development, the risks for the marine environment increase. Contracting Parties therefore aim to improve their joint response to incidents, based on risk assessments, ensuring counter-pollution activities are executed with the best available techniques and equipment.

Counter Pollution Manual: One of the Bonn Agreement's major aims is to facilitate cooperation between the Contracting Parties in response to large maritime disasters and other emergencies. To ensure that cooperation is effective and efficient, common understanding is needed on many issues such as command structures, communications, organisation and claims management. To ensure this common understanding, these issues have been outlined in the Bonn Agreement Counter Pollution Manual.
Oil Pollution Combating Strategy: The overall strategy for combatting spills is outlined in Chapter 22 of the Counter Pollution Manual (CPM), including combatting oil at sea, on shore and in estuaries, and outlines the approaches to be taken. The CPM also contains detailed advice on Command Structure (Chapter 2), Radio Communications (Chapter 3), Organisational issues (Chapter 30) and Reimbursement (Chapter 33) all of which are key to successful joint operations to combat oil spills.
Sub-regional response plans: The Bonn Agreement also includes several Joint Zones of Responsibility for response to incidents. For some of these joint zones there are also sub-regional response plans such as the DenGerNeth Plan covering Denmark, Netherlands and German response zones, the Mancheplan covering the Channel waters between France and the UK and the NorBrit Plan covering the offshore zone between the UK and Norway.
European Union: The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) also supports Bonn Agreement countries with complementary operational services namely a satellite based oil spill monitoring and surveillance service (CleanSeaNet), a network of stand-by oil spill response vessels for at-sea oil recovery and a chemical (HNS) specific information service (Mar-ice).

International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF)

ITOPF has responded to approximately 800 shipping incidents involving crude oil spilt from tankers, as well as bunker fuel, chemicals and bulk cargoes from all types of ships worldwide. Our highly skilled international team are ready to assist 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide objective technical advice on clean-up measures as well as environmental and economic effects.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we have devoted efforts to developing a wide range of technical services to promote effective response to ship source pollution incidents since our creation in 1968. Our five key services are spill response, claims analysis & damage assessment, contingency planning, training and education as well as information.

Our services are provided to our Members (tanker owners) or Associates (other shipowners) and their P&I insurers. We offer also our services at the request of governments and intergovernmental organisations such as the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds).

Our London based team of 35, 15 of whom are available to respond to spills, combined with almost 50 years’ experience, is what makes us truly unique. We are also an advisory service to ensure operators are prepared for emergency situations, including ensuring the information required if an incident occurs can be readily available.

For Essential Information, Additional Useful Information and EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION that will be required In the event of a spill of oil or hazardous and noxious substance, please use the following link: http://www.itopf.com/in-action/emergency-protocol/

For advice in relation to your contingency planning, and for preparing for Polar operations please contact us using the following link: http://www.itopf.com/contact/

For guidance on Arctic and Cold Climates please see this link: http://www.itopf.com/knowledge-resources/documents-guides/arctic-cold-climates/

Please also see our Film ‘Oil Spills in Cold Climates’ - http://www.itopf.com/knowledge-resources/library/video-library/video/8oil-spills-in-cold-climates/

Hyperlink 1: The Polar Code: A Regulatory Interpretation Guide
This document provides Loyd's Register guidance on all aspects of the Polar Code (chapter by chapter). For Part IIA Chapter 1, see pages 81 to 82.

Hyperlink 2: Meeting the Polar Code on 1 January 2017: Guidance for Existing Ships (Part IIA)
This document includes information on what steps operators need to take to ensure compliance when operating in polar waters on or after 1 January 2017, when the Polar Code entered into force.

Lloyd's website

USCG Maritime Information Exchange

Hyperlink 1: Northern Sea Route – Best practices and Challenges (2017)
For Chapter 1, see pages 3-4, and 14-15.

Hyperlink 2: Offshore Vessel Operations In Ice and or Severe Sub Zero Temperatures in Artic and Sub Artic regions (2014).
The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance to operators and charterers of offshore support vessels employed for use in areas impacted by ice or severe sub-zero temperatures with the aim of encouraging high standards of safety and environmental protection for those operating in Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions.

The Environment Agency of Iceland

World Meterological Organization

WWF Global Arctic Programme

Hyperlink: www.rina.org.uk/hres/de%2054_inf_5.pdf
The issues and risk of oil discharges to sea from oil lubricated propeller shafts. Considering the IMO Arctic as defined under the Polar Code is 0 discharge re oil and oily mixtures we believe that this should be address and that there are easy cost-effective mechanisms to address this.
There are now several suppliers of sea water-based systems for stern tube lubrication and we believe this should be recommended in order to meet the standards as required in the Polar Code IIA Chapter 1

Please see the attached DNV report, the relevant parts are on page 1 and page 16.

PART IIA: CHAPTER 1 – PREVENTION OF POLLUTION BY OIL: Full Polar Code text
As adopted from IMO - Full Polar Code text

PART IIA: CHAPTER 1: Full Polar Code text

1.1 Operational requirements

1.1.1 In Arctic waters any discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixtures from any ship shall be prohibited.
1.1.2 The provisions of paragraph 1.1.1 shall not apply to the discharge of clean or segregated ballast.
1.1.3 Subject to the approval of the Administration, a category A ship constructed before 1 January 2017 that cannot comply with paragraph 1.1.1 for oil or oily mixtures from machinery spaces and is operating continuously in Arctic waters for more than 30 days shall comply with paragraph 1.1.1 not later than the first intermediate or renewal survey, whichever comes first, one year after 1 January 2017. Until such date these ships shall comply with the discharge requirements of MARPOL Annex I regulation 15.3.
1.1.4 Operation in polar waters shall be taken into account, as appropriate, in the Oil Record Books, manuals and the shipboard oil pollution emergency plan or the shipboard marine pollution emergency plan as required by MARPOL Annex I.

1.2 Structural requirements

1.2.1 For category A and B ships constructed on or after 1 January 2017 with an aggregate oil fuel capacity of less than 600 m3, all oil fuel tanks shall be separated from the outer shell by a distance of not less than 0.76 m. This provision does not apply to small oil fuel tanks with a maximum individual capacity not greater than 30 m3.
1.2.2 For category A and B ships other than oil tankers constructed on or after 1 January 2017, all cargo tanks constructed and utilized to carry oil shall be separated from the outer shell by a distance of not less than 0.76 m.
1.2.3 For category A and B oil tankers of less than 5,000 tonnes deadweight constructed on or after 1 January 2017, the entire cargo tank length shall be protected with:
- .1 double bottom tanks or spaces complying with the applicable requirements of regulation 19.6.1 of MARPOL Annex I; and
- .2 wing tanks or spaces arranged in accordance with regulation 19.3.1 of MARPOL Annex I and complying with the applicable requirements for distance referred to in regulation 19.6.2 of MARPOL Annex I.
1.2.4 For category A and B ships constructed on or after 1 January 2017 all oil residue (sludge) tanks and oily bilge water holding tanks shall be separated from the outer shell by a distance of not less than 0.76 m. This provision does not apply to small tanks with a maximum individual capacity not greater than 30 m³.

POLAR CODE CHAPTERS: EXPLANATION AND SUBMISSIONS

CHAPTER SUMMARY

In Arctic waters any discharge into the sea of noxious liquid substances (NLS), or mixtures containing such substances, shall be prohibited. Operations in Polar Waters, in accordance with MARPOL Annex II, must take into account procedures for noxious liquid substances, or mixtures containing such substances, which must be documented in the Cargo Record Book, the Manual, and the shipboard marine pollution emergency plan. See full text of Chapter 2 below and additional guidance.

Additional Guidance for Chapter 2 (Part II-B):
There is additional guidance for ships constructed on or after 1 January 2017. See full text of additional guidance.

SUBMISSIONS

Friends of the Earth International

Hyperlink 1: The Polar Code: A Regulatory Interpretation Guide
This document provides Loyd's Register guidance on all aspects of the Polar Code (chapter by chapter). For Part IIA Chapter 2, see pages 81 to 82.

Hyperlink 2: Meeting the Polar Code on 1 January 2017: Guidance for Existing Ships (Part IIA)
This document includes information on what steps operators need to take to ensure compliance when operating in polar waters on or after 1 January 2017, when the Polar Code entered into force.

Lloyd's website

USCG Maritime Information Exchange

Hyperlink 1: Northern Sea Route – Best practices and Challenges (2017)
For Chapter 2, see pages 3-4, and 14-15.

Hyperlink 2: Offshore Vessel Operations In Ice and or Severe Sub Zero Temperatures in Artic and Sub Artic regions (2014).
The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance to operators and charterers of offshore support vessels employed for use in areas impacted by ice or severe sub-zero temperatures with the aim of encouraging high standards of safety and environmental protection for those operating in Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions.

PART IIA: CHAPTER 2 – CONTROL OF POLLUTION BY NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES IN BULK: Full Polar Code text
As adopted from IMO - Full Polar Code text

PART IIA - Chapter 2: Full Polar Code text

2.1 Operational requirements

2.1.1 In Arctic waters any discharge into the sea of noxious liquid substances (NLS), or mixtures containing such substances, shall be prohibited.
2.1.2 Operation in polar waters shall be taken into account, as appropriate, in the Cargo Record Book, the Manual and the shipboard marine pollution emergency plan for noxious liquid substances or the shipboard marine pollution emergency plan as required by MARPOL Annex II.
2.1.3 For category A and B ships constructed on or after 1 January 2017, the carriage of NLS identified in chapter 17, column e, as ship type 3 or identified as NLS in chapter 18 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk in cargo tanks of type 3 ships shall be subject to the approval of the Administration. The results shall be reflected on the International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk or Certificate of Fitness identifying the operation in polar waters.

POLAR CODE CHAPTERS: EXPLANATION AND SUBMISSIONS