Chapter 2 Resolution MEPC.189(60), Adopted on 26 March 2010:
Amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973
Introduction
2.1
On 23 March 2011, the Resolution MPEC.189(60) Amendments to the Annex
of the Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (MARPOL) was tabled in the
Commonwealth Parliament.
2.2
MARPOL is a multilateral treaty instrument intended to regulate marine
pollution. The amendments under consideration add a new Chapter 9 to MARPOL
that relates to the use and transport of heavy oils in the Antarctic seas.[1]
2.3
The Antarctic Sea south of latitude 60 degrees is categorised as a
‘special protection area’ for the purposes of the MARPOL.[2]
A ‘special protection area’ is a sea area for which special mandatory methods
for the prevention of sea pollution is required because of the nature of the
sea traffic and the oceanographic and ecological condition of the sea.[3]
2.4
The new Chapter will prohibit, except in certain circumstances, the bulk
transportation and use as fuel of heavy oils, bitumen and tar and their
emulsions in the region (referred to hereafter as HFOs).[4]
2.5
The exemptions to the prohibition on carriage of HFOs include vessels
engaged in securing the safety of ships or in a search and rescue operation,[5]
and ships owned and operated by governments, such as naval vessels, auxiliaries
and research vessels.[6]
2.6
According to the National Interest Analysis (NIA), in the extreme
weather conditions of the Antarctic region, oil decomposition is very slow and
so spillage of HFOs poses a serious environmental hazard.[7]
The cost of HFO spills is ten times the cost for lighter
crudes or diesel fuel clean-ups. This is because the persistence of HFOs
presents the greatest challenge during clean-up and the cost increases
exponentially as the grade of oil increases. Sophisticated clean-up strategies
are required for spills of more persistent oils, which to date has involved
application of oil dispersants, and mechanical and manual recoveries.
Responses to spills of persistent oils that are near shorelines can result in
prolonged and laborious shoreline clean-up responses.[8]
2.7
The NIA cites a number of recent examples of discharges of HFOs in Antarctic
seas. For example, spills of HFOs have occurred from cruise vessels the Explorer
in 2007, and the Ciudad de Ushuaia in 2008.[9]
Ships carrying HFOs continue to sail in the region.[10]
Impact on Australia
2.8
Australia has demonstrated leadership in many areas of marine
environment protection as successive governments have recognised the importance
of embracing internationally consistent measures and standards in the maritime
industry. Australia’s focus on marine environment protection is, in part, due
to its heavy reliance on the international maritime industry to underpin its
international trade.[11]
2.9
The Amendment will provide Australia with the legislative authority to
enforce the ban on the carriage of HFOs in the Australian Antarctic Territory.
This will require amendments to Australia’s Protection of the Sea
(Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983.[12]
2.10
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will enforce the new
measure through its usual processes of port inspections, including monitoring
of the oil record book required to be kept on board vessels, and liaising with
international partners to ensure that ships registered in other countries are
complying with the new standards.[13]
2.11
According to AMSA, if the revised Annex I of MARPOL was not implemented
in Australia, there would be a risk that the level of environmental protection
in Australia would fall short of internationally adopted standards. That may
encourage ships carrying HFOs to operate unregulated in the Antarctic Area,
which could have significant financial and environmental long-term effects for
Australia. Rejection of the amendments would also undermine Australia’s
standing and influence in the international community regarding the protection
of Antarctica’s environment.[14]
Impact on the Australian
Antarctic Division
2.12
The Australian Antarctic Division, which is part of the Department of Sustainability,
Environment, Water, Population and Communities, administers the Australian
Antarctic Territory, and is the major Australian presence in the Antarctic.[15]
2.13
The Division strongly supports the measures introduced under the
Resolution. Nevertheless, implementation of the Resolution will have some
operational and budgetary implications for its work.[16]
2.14
The research vessel chartered by the Division, the RSV Aurora
Australis, already uses light fuel, and is therefore compliant. Also,
Australia’s stations in the Antarctic are compliant. However, the Division also
contracts Russian flagged vessels to provide logistic support, involving supply
and waste removal for its Australian Arctic Program. These vessels are large,
specialised, ice‑strengthened cargo vessels which operate on intermediate
fuel oil, which will be banned under the amending Resolution.[17]
2.15
However, the Division advised the Committee that the fleet of ice-strengthened
cargo vessels is nearing 30 years old, which is the usual end of a ship’s
life. The Divisions expects to see a change over in this fleet to modern,
compliant vessels in the next five years.[18]
2.16
The Division is currently commissioning scoping studies to assess its
medium to long-term shipping needs. The consultation report notes that any new
vessels will be engineered to comply with the Resolution.[19]
2.17
In the short term, the NIA consultation report notes the risk that
Australia may damage its reputation as a lead nation under MARPOL if it
continues to contract available non‑compliant Russian ships.[20]
Submission relating to Port Phillip Bay
2.18
The Committee received a submission which proposed that the area covered
by the Amendment should be extended to 38 degrees south latitude, which is the
northern point of Western Port, Victoria. The submission’s intent was to
extend protection to the roosting and foraging sites of the Phillip Island penguins.[21]
2.19
In response, AMSA argued that the different physical environment near
the Australian continent meant that any HFO spill would not present the same
degree of threat as in Antarctica, and that Australia has the capacity to deal
with such a situation:
...the selection of 60 degrees is recognition that the
situation is in the Antarctic, where the extreme weather condition, extreme
cold, is a unique situation when you have a spill involving heavy fuel oil.
...responding to spills of heavily fuel oil in Australia
waters is obviously... not something we would choose to do, but if there is an
oil spill near Australia involving heavy fuel oil, we do not have the same
problems that we do in the Antarctic. We can get to it, we have a national
response plan in place that we can respond to incidents around the Australian
coast. So [it is] a very different situation anywhere near Australia. [22]
Conclusion
2.20
The Committee recognises the importance of the proposed amendments and supports
their incorporation into the existing Treaty.
2.21
However, the Committee is concerned that a large proportion of vessels operating
in Antarctic waters will be exempt from the prohibition on the basis that they
are operated by governments. AMSA should monitor the number of exempt ships
carrying HFOs in the region to see whether the provisions of the exemption need
tightening.
2.22
While the Committee notes that the Australian Antarctic Division is one
of the few institutions significantly affected, it also notes that the Division
fully supports the amendments so as to provide greater protection to the
Antarctic environment.
Recommendation 1 |
|
The Committee supports Resolution MEPC.189(60), Adopted
on 26 March 201: Amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 Relating to
the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 and recommends that binding treaty action be taken. |