5 Vulnerability to Impacts from International Shipping
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Assembly - IMO Resolution A.982(24) – Revised Guidelines for the Identification and Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas – (Adopted on 1 December 2005) - Annex – Revised Guidelines for the Identification and Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas - 5 Vulnerability to Impacts from International Shipping

5 Vulnerability to Impacts from International Shipping

  5.1 In addition to meeting at least one of the criteria listed in 4.4, the recognized attributes of the area should be at risk from international shipping activities. This involves consideration of the following factors:

Vessel traffic characteristics

  • 5.1.1 Operational factors – Types of maritime activities (e.g. small fishing boats, small pleasure craft, oil and gas rigs) in the proposed area that by their presence may reduce the safety of navigation.

  • 5.1.2 Vessel types – Types of vessels passing through or adjacent to the area (e.g. high-speed vessels, large tankers, or bulk carriers with small under-keel clearance).

  • 5.1.3 Traffic characteristics – Volume or concentration of traffic, vessel interaction, distance offshore or other dangers to navigation, are such as to involve greater risk of collision or grounding.

  • 5.1.4 Harmful substances carried – Type and quantity of substances on board, whether cargo, fuel or stores, that would be harmful if released into the sea.

Natural factors

  • 5.1.5 Hydrographical – Water depth, bottom and coastline topography, lack of proximate safe anchorages and other factors which call for increased navigational caution.

  • 5.1.6 Meteorological – Prevailing weather, wind strength and direction, atmospheric visibility and other factors which increase the risk of collision and grounding and also the risk of damage to the sea area from discharges.

  • 5.1.7 Oceanographic – Tidal streams, ocean currents, ice, and other factors which increase the risk of collision and grounding and also the risk of damage to the sea area from discharges.

  5.2 In proposing an area as a PSSA and in considering the associated protective measures to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the identified vulnerability, other information that might be helpful includes the following:

  • .1 any evidence that international shipping activities are causing or may cause damage to the attributes of the proposed area, including the significance or risk of the potential damage, the degree of harm that may be expected to cause damage, and whether such damage is reasonably foreseeable, as well as whether damage is of a recurring or cumulative nature;

  • .2 any history of groundings, collisions, or spills in the area and any consequences of such incidents;

  • .3 any adverse impacts to the environment outside the proposed PSSA expected to be caused by changes to international shipping activities as a result of PSSA designation;

  • .4 stresses from other environmental sources; and

  • .5 any measures already in effect and their actual or anticipated beneficial impact.

Parent topic: Annex – Revised Guidelines for the Identification and Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas
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