Arctic Council Working Group

Additional Guidance Regarding the Provisions of the Introduction and Part II-A (Part IIB)

Chapter summary:

This additional guidance advises operators on the selection of stern tube lubricants, such as non-toxic biodegradable lubricants or water-based systems, and makes structural and engineering suggestions. Additionally, there is guidance on the application of ballast water treatment, including taking into account operations of ballast water management systems at low temperatures for the prevention of transfer of invasive aquatic species.

There is also guidance on anti-fouling coating capability\ies in polar ice operations to minimize the risk of invasive aquatic species transfers via biofouling.

For full text of Part II B Additional Guidance see below.

Submissions

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: Northern Sea Route – Best practices and Challenges (2017)
For Part IIB, 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).

In addition:

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.

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 II B: ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE REGARDING THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTRODUCTION AND PART II-A: Full Polar Code text

As adopted from IMO - Full Polar Code text

Additional guidance to chapter 1

  • 1.1 Ships are encouraged to apply regulation 43 of MARPOL Annex I when operating in Arctic waters.
  • 1.2 Non-toxic biodegradable lubricants or water-based systems should be considered in lubricated components located outside the underwater hull with direct seawater interfaces, like shaft seals and slewing seals.

Additional guidance to chapter 2

Category A and B ships, constructed on or after 1 January 2017 and certified to carry noxious liquid substances (NLS), are encouraged to carry 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 tanks separated from the outer shell by a distance of not less than 760 mm.

Additional guidance to chapter 5

In order to minimize the risks associated with animal cargo mortalities, consideration should be given to how animal carcasses will be managed, treated, and stored on board when ships carrying such cargo are operating in polar waters. Reference is made in particular to the 2012 Guidelines for the implementation of MARPOL Annex V (resolution MEPC.219(63), as amended by resolution MEPC.239(65)) and the 2012 Guidelines for the development of garbage management plans (resolution MEPC.220(63)).


Additional guidance under other environmental conventions and guidelines

  • 4.1 Until the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments enters into force, the ballast water management provisions of the ballast water exchange standard, set out in regulation D-1, or the ballast water performance standard, set out in regulation D-2 of the Convention should be considered as appropriate. The provisions of the Guidelines for ballast water exchange in the Antarctic treaty area (resolution MEPC.163(56)) should be taken into consideration along with other relevant guidelines developed by the Organization.
  • 4.2 In selecting the ballast water management system, attention should be paid to limiting conditions specified in the appendix of the Type Approval Certificate and the temperature under which the system has been tested, in order to ensure its suitability and effectiveness in polar waters.
  • 4.3 In order to minimize the risk of invasive aquatic species transfers via biofouling, measures should be considered to minimize the risk of more rapid degradation of anti-fouling coatings associated with polar ice operations. Reference is made in particular to the 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species (resolution MEPC.207(62)).

Table: Example of matters related to anti-fouling systems taken into consideration by some ice-going ships (this table is used by some operators of ice-going ships)

Hull Sea chest
Year round operation in ice-covered polar waters
  • Abrasion resistant coating.
  • Compliant with the AFS Convention. Thickness of anti-fouling system to be decided by shipowner.
Intermittent operation in ice-covered polar waters
  • Abrasion resistant low friction ice coating.
  • In sides, above bilge keel, max thickness of anti-fouling system 75 µm, to protect hull between application of anti-fouling system and next anticipated voyage to ice-covered waters. In bottom area thickness to be decided by shipowner. Composition of anti-fouling system should also be decided by the shipowner.
 Compliant with the AFS Convention. Thickness of anti-fouling system to be decided by shipowner.
Category B and C vessels Compliant with the AFS Convention. Thickness of antifouling system to be decided by shipowner. Compliant with the AFS Convention. Thickness of anti-fouling system to be decided by shipowner.