Co-ordination among Antarctic Treaty Parties on Antarctic proposals under consideration in the IMO
The Representatives:
Noting the steps taken by the Antarctic Treaty Parties to promote the safety of life at sea and environmental protection in the Antarctic Treaty area;
Acknowledging the role of the International Maritime Organization (“IMO”) in aspects of maritime safety and security and the prevention of pollution from ships in the Antarctic Treaty area;
Recalling previous cooperation between the IMO and the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”), including requests by the ATCM for the IMO to take steps relating to Antarctic maritime matters;
Emphasising the desirability of IMO attendance at the ATCM and recalling the ATCM’s regular invitations to the IMO to attend as an expert;
Welcoming the adoption by the IMO of Guidelines for Ships Operating in Polar Waters and the work initiated in the IMO to develop a mandatory code for polar shipping and emphasising the valuable contribution the Parties can make to its development and expeditious conclusion;
Welcoming the adoption by the IMO of a ban on the use and carriage by vessels of heavy grades of oil in the Antarctic Treaty area, following requests by the ATCM;
Noting the desire of the Parties to ensure that regulatory actions relating to shipping in the Antarctic Treaty area are consistent with the objectives of the Antarctic Treaty and its Protocol on Environmental Protection and take into account the conduct of Antarctic activities including, inter alia, operations of national Antarctic programmes, in light of the specific circumstances of the Antarctic environment;
Emphasising the importance of representatives to the ATCM working closely with their national IMO representatives on matters relating to the Antarctic Treaty area;
Noting the desirability of timely consideration within the IMO of proposals relating to the Antarctic Treaty area;
Recommend:
That when a Party or group of Parties initiates a proposal to the ATCM that results in a referral by the ATCM to the IMO concerning matters relevant to the Antarctic Treaty area, the initiating Party or group of Parties:
1) report to the ATCM on the anticipated timeline for consideration of the matter referred by the ATCM, including the schedule of IMO meetings and processes;
2) report to the ATCM on the progress of the matter referred by the ATCM within the IMO, including key issues or changes that may arise in IMO deliberations;
3) report intersessionally to the Parties through the Secretariat or other suitable mechanism (e.g. web-based discussion forum), where appropriate, after IMO meetings where the matter referred by the ATCM is considered; and
4) inform the ATCM when further action may need to be considered in order to further the objectives of the ATCM.
The Representatives:
Noting the steps taken by the Antarctic Treaty Parties to promote the safety of life at sea and environmental protection in the Antarctic Treaty area;
Acknowledging the role of the International Maritime Organization (“IMO”) in aspects of maritime safety and security and the prevention of pollution from ships in the Antarctic Treaty area;
Recalling previous cooperation between the IMO and the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”), including requests by the ATCM for the IMO to take steps relating to Antarctic maritime matters;
Emphasising the desirability of IMO attendance at the ATCM and recalling the ATCM’s regular invitations to the IMO to attend as an expert;
Welcoming the adoption by the IMO of Guidelines for Ships Operating in Polar Waters and the work initiated in the IMO to develop a mandatory code for polar shipping and emphasising the valuable contribution the Parties can make to its development and expeditious conclusion;
Welcoming the adoption by the IMO of a ban on the use and carriage by vessels of heavy grades of oil in the Antarctic Treaty area, following requests by the ATCM;
Noting the desire of the Parties to ensure that regulatory actions relating to shipping in the Antarctic Treaty area are consistent with the objectives of the Antarctic Treaty and its Protocol on Environmental Protection and take into account the conduct of Antarctic activities including, inter alia, operations of national Antarctic programmes, in light of the specific circumstances of the Antarctic environment;
Emphasising the importance of representatives to the ATCM working closely with their national IMO representatives on matters relating to the Antarctic Treaty area;
Noting the desirability of timely consideration within the IMO of proposals relating to the Antarctic Treaty area;
Recommend:
That when a Party or group of Parties initiates a proposal to the ATCM that results in a referral by the ATCM to the IMO concerning matters relevant to the Antarctic Treaty area, the initiating Party or group of Parties:
1) report to the ATCM on the anticipated timeline for consideration of the matter referred by the ATCM, including the schedule of IMO meetings and processes;
2) report to the ATCM on the progress of the matter referred by the ATCM within the IMO, including key issues or changes that may arise in IMO deliberations;
3) report intersessionally to the Parties through the Secretariat or other suitable mechanism (e.g. web-based discussion forum), where appropriate, after IMO meetings where the matter referred by the ATCM is considered; and
4) inform the ATCM when further action may need to be considered in order to further the objectives of the ATCM.
