Introduction
1 The Marine Environment Protection Committee (the Committee), at its sixty-eight session
(11 to 15 May 2015), adopted, by resolution MEPC.264(68), the environment-related
provisions of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code),
together with amendments to MARPOL Annexes I, II and V to make the Introduction and
corresponding chapters of part II-A of the Polar Code mandatory (resolution
MEPC.265(68). The Polar Code is expected to take effect on 1 January 2017, upon entry
into force of the associated MARPOL amendments.
2 In accordance with the Committee's decision that compliance with the
environment-related requirements of the Polar Code should be reflected in the existing
certificates, manuals and record books under the relevant Annexes to MARPOL, amendments
have been introduced to the following certificates, manuals and record books:
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.1 Supplement to the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP
Certificate) – Forms A and B;
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.2 Standard format for the Procedures and Arrangements Manual; and
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.3 Form of Garbage Record Book.
3 This guidance advises on the revision of certificates, manuals and record books under
Annexes I, II and V of MARPOL for compliance with the environment-related requirements
of the Polar Code.
International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP Certificate)
4 Amendments have been introduced to the Supplement to the IOPP Certificate (Forms A and
B) to certify that category A and B ships constructed on or after 1 January 2017 are in
compliance with the additional structural requirements on tank protection, as set out in
section 1.2 of chapter 1 of part II-A of the Polar Code.
5 In this regard, the Guidance on the timing of replacement of existing certificates
by the certificates issued after the entry into force of amendments to certificates
in IMO instruments (MSC-MEPC.5/Circ.6) provides, inter alia, that in cases where
the ship has not to comply with new requirements, the certificate (and its supplement,
if any) is not reissued until its expiry.
6 In addition, in cases where the ship has to comply with new requirements, the
certificate (and its supplement, if any) is reissued at the first opportunity of the
survey related to the new requirement, occurring after the date of entry into force of
the amendments.
7 In view of the guidance quoted in paragraph 5, it is recommended that ships built
before 1 January 2017, operating in polar waters, should be allowed to use the existing
IOPP certificate until its expiry, as there are no additional structural requirements
for existing ships.
8 Paragraph 1.1.3 of chapter 1 of part II-A of the Polar Code requires that, 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.
9 It is recommended that the approval of existing category A ships could be achieved
through a letter of approval issued by the Administration, using the phase-in provision
of paragraph 1.1.3 of chapter 1 of part II-A of the Polar Code, instead of reflecting
the approval on the IOPP certificate.
International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid
Substances in Bulk or Certificate of Fitness
10 Paragraph 2.1.3 of chapter 2 of part II-A of the Polar Code requires that, for
category A and B ships constructed on or after 1 January 2017, the carriage of noxious
liquid substances (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 (IBC Code) 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.
11 The Committee agreed that there is no need for amendments to the NLS Certificate or
the Certificate of Fitness and further recommended the following with regard to the
approval referred to in paragraph 2.1.3 of chapter 2 of part II-A: when considering the
approval of the carriage of NLS identified in chapter 17, column e, as ship type 3 or
identified as NLS in chapter 18 of the IBC Code, the carriage conditions for voyages in
polar waters may be noted in the column "Conditions of carriage" or in the general
remarks related to the certificate. This applies to both the NLS Certificate and
Certificate of Fitness.
Standard format for the Procedures and Arrangements Manual
12 Amendments have been introduced to paragraphs 1.3 and 4.4 of the standard format for
the Procedures and Arrangements Manual, to make reference to the requirements of chapter
2 of part II-A of the Polar Code. The amendments to the manual are to be made prior to
entering polar waters on or after 1 January 2017.
13 It is recommended that prior approval of the Administration, in accordance with
paragraph 8 of the introduction part of the Procedures and Arrangements Manual, may be
given automatically for ships introducing modifications to paragraphs 1.3 and 4.4 of the
manuals, as set out in resolution MEPC.264(68). Where such an automatic approval has
been given, this approval remains valid until the first scheduled survey related to the
NLS Certificate or the Certificate of Fitness.
Form of Garbage Record Book
14 Amendments have been introduced to the chapeau of section 4.1.3 of the Form of Garbage
Record Book to make reference to the provisions of chapter 5 of part II-A of the Polar
Code.
15 It is recommended that no approval is needed for ships introducing modifications to
section 4.1.3 of the Form of Garbage Record Book, as set out in resolution
MEPC.265(68).