Polar Code still leaves significant gaps, experts say

The fragile and increasingly ice-free waters of the Arctic areexpected to benefit from tougher environmental rules likely to bepassed this week when an international body holds a final vote onnorthern shipping regulations.

But environmental groups at the meeting of the InternationalMaritime Organization in London say that the proposed measures forthe Polar Code still leave significant gaps.

"It's a big step forward but there's a ways to go," said KevinHarun of Pacific Environment, a U.S.-based group that has been partof the talks.

The International Maritime Organization is a UN-sponsored bodythat sets shipping rules for oceans. Last fall, it gave preliminaryapproval to a series of environmental measures.

It's scheduled to take a final vote on those measures this weekand they are expected to pass. They include a ban on the dischargeof oil, oily water or noxious chemicals.

That's stricter than the rules for other oceans, said Harun."That's a real big first for a region."

The proposals also limit the discharge of food waste. Any suchwaste would have to be ground and dumped at least 20 kilometres fromland or the nearest ice.

Requirements for sailors to avoid Arctic marine mammals werepassed last fall.

Countries such as Canada already have regulations for territorialwaters in the Arctic that are more stringent than the proposals, butnational rules don't cover the central Arctic Ocean. The proposalsoffer added protection for that area.

What they don't do is ban the use of heavy fuel oil,Harunsaid.

'Thick, viscous, dirty, persistent'

"It's thick, viscous, dirty, persistent, doesn't evaporate andwould be a real disaster if there was a spill," Harun said. "They haven't dealtwith that at all."

Such oil is also a major source of black carbon, which isconsidered a significant driver behind climate change because itdarkens snow and ice and causes it to melt faster.

Michael Byers, an Arctic law expert and University of BritishColumbia professor, points out that the heavy fuel burned by most ofthe ships plying the Arctic is already banned in the Antarctic.

"There was real hope the IMO would extend that ban," he said.

"(The code) is a necessary first step but it doesn't address thebig issue."

The ban was opposed by countries with a large number of shipsunder their flags. Russia, which is trying to promote the use of itsNorthern Sea Route, also opposed it.

Byers said reputable shippers already live up to what will be thenew requirements.

Environmentalists will continue to push for improvements, Harunsaid.

"They did a good job advancing some of these issues, but if theydon't deal with some of these other issues it's all going to be fornaught.

He also noted that enforcement will be up to individual nationsin territorial waters and ambiguous everywhere else.

"Enforcement is an area that really needs to be looked at."

The new rules are expected to take effect on Jan. 1, 2017.