GUIDELINES FOR SHIPS OPERATING IN ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC ICE-COVERED WATERS

The Representatives:

Noting the provisions of Article 10 of Annex IV to the Environmental Protocol relating to the design, construction, manning and equipment of ships engaged in or supporting Antarctic operations;

Conscious of the increasing levels of shipping, including tourist vessels, operating in the waters of the Antarctic Treaty Area;

Desiring to ensure the safety of life at sea and the protection of the environment in the Antarctic Treaty Area;

Noting the intersessional efforts of COMNAP to produce these Guidelines;

Noting the Guidelines should be interpreted as providing recommendations, rather than mandatory directions;

Noting the IMO Guidelines for ships operating in Arctic ice-covered waters and desiring that the IMO amend those Guidelines to apply them specifically to ships in ice-covered waters in the Antarctic Treaty Area.

Decide to:

- endorse the Guidelines annexed to this Decision;

- transmit the Guidelines through the Chair of ATCM XXVII to the Secretary General of the IMO with a request for them to be considered by the IMO at the earliest opportunity;

- urge their national representatives to take action at the IMO to secure the consideration of the Guidelines at the earliest opportunity.