MARPOL Special Areas and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas
The MEPC reviewed new draft guidelines for the designation of Special Areas under MARPOL 73/78 and new draft guidelines for the identification of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs) and agreed additional material to be drafted before the next session, MEPC 46, which would approve the guidelines. This additional material would include a flow-chart to assist member states in deciding the most appropriate measures in providing protection to sensitive sea areas.
After approval at the next session, a proposed draft Assembly resolution would be put forward to the 22nd Assembly in November 2001 for adoption.
In Annexes I, II and V, MARPOL 73/78 defines certain sea areas as "special areas" in which, for technical reasons relating to their oceanographical and ecological condition and to their sea traffic, the adoption of special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution is required.
Under MARPOL, these special areas are provided with a higher level of protection than other areas. A PSSA is an area that needs special protection through action by IMO because of its significance for recognized ecological or socio-economic or scientific reasons and which may be vulnerable to damage by international maritime activities. The criteria for the identification of particularly sensitive sea areas and the criteria for the designation of special areas are not mutually exclusive. In many cases a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area may be identified within a Special Area and vice versa.
Prevention of air pollution from ships
The MEPC considered a study commissioned by IMO into greenhouse gas emissions from ships and agreed to discuss, at its next session, the development of a document outlining IMO policy on the issue. The study follows the adoption in 1997 of Annex VI of MARPOL on Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships.
The study shows that the impact of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from ships continues to be the main policy driver. There are no accurate assessments of the contribution of shipping to global NOx emissions. However, studies show that shipping is a small contributor to world carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, accounting for 1.8 percent of world CO2 emissions in 1996.
The study notes that there is potential for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships through technical and operational measures. At the same time, shipping has been confirmed to be a significant contributor in the development of environmentally sustainable transport.
Adoption of amendments to IMO instruments
The MEPC adopted the following amendments to various IMO conventions and other instruments:
MARPOL 73/78 Annex V Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships
An amendment to regulation 3(1)(a) of Annex V prohibits the disposal into the sea of incinerator ashes from plastics products which may contain toxic or heavy metal residues from other garbage.
An amendment to regulation 1 Definitions amends the definition of "from nearest land" in relation to the north-eastern coast of Australia.
Amendments to regulation 9 on Placards, garbage management plans and garbage record-keeping allow for placards and plans to be written in Spanish as an alternative to English or French - in addition to the official language of the flag State.
The amendments will enter into force on March 1, 2002.
Amendments to IBC and BCH Codes
The MEPC adopted amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code) and the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code) relating to cargo hose requirements, protection of personnel and carriage of carbon disulfide.
Previous
Home
Previous
