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Treaty Type:
Multilateral
Common Name:
Polar Code
Responsible Department:
Maritime New Zealand
Administering Department:
Treaty Summary:
The Polar Code will provide both recommendatory and mandatory provisions for vessels operating in the Antarctic and Arctic. The purpose of the code is to ensure that only vessels suitable for polar conditions operate in those waters.
The Code will be a stand-alone instrument, to be made mandatory via tacit acceptance under the Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the Convention on Marine Pollution (MARPOL), as appropriate.
As a country from whose ports vessels depart for Antarctica together with our responsibility for Search and Rescue coordination in the Ross Sea and our commitment to protecting the Antarctic environment, New Zealand has a strong interest in the development of the mandatory code for ships operating in polar waters.
NZ Adherence Status:
In Progress
Negotiation Status:
Multilateral. The Polar Code was first considered by the IMO Subcommittee on Design and Equipment in February 2010 and the text of the Phase I of the Code has now been negotiated. The Polar Code and SOLAS amendments were adopted during the 94th session of IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in November 2014; the environmental provisions and MARPOL amendments were adopted during the 68th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in May 2015.
The entry into force of the SOLAS and MARPOL amendments for Phase 1 was 1 January 2017, under the tacit acceptance procedure. It will apply to new ships constructed after that date. Ships constructed before 1 January 2017 will be required to meet the relevant requirements of the Polar Code by the first intermediate or renewal survey, whichever occurs first, after 1 January 2018.
Phase 2 of the Polar Code negotiations have begun to explore whether any or all aspects of the current Code can be applied to non-SOLAS vessels.
Organisation:
International Maritime Organization
Is Signed By NZ:
No
Signature Date:
Ratified or Signed:
No
Requires Ratification:
No
NZ Territorial Applications:
None
Information about required Legislation:
The International Maritime Organisation will bring the code into force through amendments under the tacit acceptance procedures of SOLAS and MARPOL. As a party to both conventions, New Zealand has implemented the Code through amendments to the relevant Maritime and Marine Protection Rules.
Impacts on Maori:
-
Impacts on Stakeholders:
This treaty will be of interest to the:
(i) tourism industry;
(ii) fishing industry;
(iii) Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition; and
(iv) National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Research Ship).
The Code applies to SOLAS vessels and takes a risk based approach. As such it is likely that more stringent design, equipment and operating standards will create additional compliance costs for vessels operating in Antarctic waters. The environmental aspects of the Code will apply to fishing vessels but given the stringent environmental requirements already applicable to the Antarctic, and given New Zealand's limited engagement in the Arctic, any obligations should be minimal.
Link To Legislation:
Treaty Text Link:
Contact Information:
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