ICS issues its position paper on Arctic Shipping

ICS has issued its position paper on Arctic shipping, a topic which has become a key subject of focus at the IMO.

Reported changes to the world's climate appear to be increasing the accessibility of the Arctic to international shipping. These changes, as well as new interest in developing the Arctic's natural resources, are likely to increase shipping traffic navigating through the region.

As the volume of Arctic shipping gradually increases, there is growing awareness and concern within the international community about the potential sensitivity of Arctic ecosystems to the impact of such activity and the necessity for a high degree of care when ships navigate Arctic waters. These concerns are fully acknowledged and shared by international ship operators, as represented by ICS which is totally committed to the protection of the environment and the prevention of pollution.

The ICS position paper intends to establish some key principles with respect to the governance of maritime activity in the Arctic and the regulation of ships navigating in Arctic waters.

When finalised, it is anticipated that the International Code of Safety for Ships Operating in Polar Waters ('Polar Code') will become mandatory through amendments to the IMO Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) and the IMO Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).2 These IMO conventions are already widely ratified and enforced on a global basis.

Indications of thinner ice and longer ice free (northern hemisphere) summer periods have opened up the possibility of increased international shipping activity, such as:

Increased offshore support vessel activity (supporting offshore exploration and extraction of oil and gas);

Increased destination transport, with ships moving raw materials (and goods) from and between Arctic ports and the rest of the world;

The beginnings of commercially viable intercontinental northern sea routes, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via the Northeast Passage/Northern Sea Route and, potentially in the future, via the Northwest passage.

ICS and its members advocate the following principles with respect to the governance of maritime activity in the Arctic and the regulation of ships navigating Arctic waters:

1. Formulation of a mandatory, uniform regulatory framework concerning Arctic shipping to ensure maritime safety and environmental protection;

2. Development of Arctic maritime infrastructure to support safety and environmental protection;

3. Full participation of shipping nations;

4. Full market access and freedom of navigation;

5. Need for legal clarity about status of Arctic;

6. Transparency of national regulations;

7. Reducing bureaucracy and setting appropriate fees for services.

 Further information may be found at ICS Position Paper on Arctic Shipping