
This publication summarises the environmental obligations of shipping companies as required by international regulations. It includes a set of clear environmental standards by which shipping companies should operate.
The purpose of this Code of Practice is to:
a) provide a framework for the development and continuing review of environmental management standards and practices to be incorporated into the corporate culture and management procedures of shipping companies; and
b) identify specific subjects of environmental concern upon which companies should focus.
It also contains general information about the overall environmental performance of the international shipping industry and addresses potential sources of pollution from ships including oil, chemicals, garbage, ballast water and anti-fouling paints, as well as potential sources of atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Shipping is the safest and most environmentally friendly form of commercial transport. Nevertheless, many of the cargoes transported by sea, such as oil and chemicals, are potentially damaging to the environment, which (in addition to the protection of life at sea) is why maritime safety is always paramount.
It has been recognised that the human factor plays a large part in incidents of marine pollution and other forms of environmental damage. Personnel, both ashore and at sea, should be provided with clear directions, guidance and standards in order to limit to the greatest extent possible any adverse impact to the environment caused by human activity.
The cornerstone of good management is commitment from the top. It is therefore essential that senior management provides directions, guidance and standards that are:
- consistent with international and national law and with relevant industry codes of practice;
- realistic, practical and easy to follow;
- understood by all personnel; and
- evaluated, reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
Practices and standards designed to limit the impact of company operations on the environment should not be implemented in isolation but should be closely linked with other operating standards, including standards of safe navigation and safety of life.
It is equally important that ships are properly equipped to allow and encourage environmental protection. From the moment it is decided to construct a ship, efforts should be made to ensure that its design and equipment are, so far as reasonable, in keeping with the latest technology, having regard to the protection of the environment.
No discharge to the sea should be permitted from a ship unless consistent with legislation and with good practice.
The International Chamber of Shipping and its member national shipowners’ associations are committed to a zero tolerance approach to any non-compliance with the IMO MARPOL Convention.
Part 1: The environmental performance of international shipping
Part 2: Principles of environmental management
Part 3: Measures to tackle sources of pollution
Part 4: Environmental standards
Annexes
Annex 1: Key IMO conventions and codes for protection of the marine environment
Annex 2: Recommended industry publications
Annex 3: Shipping industry guidance on environmental compliance
The
International
Chamber
of
Shipping
(ICS)
is
the
principal
international
trade
association
for
the
shipping
industry,
representing
shipowners
and
operators
in
all
sectors
and
trades.
ICS
membership
comprises
national
shipowners’
associations
in
Asia,
Europe
and
the
Americas
whose
member
shipping
companies
operate
over
80%
of
the
world’s
merchant
tonnage.
Established
in
1921,
ICS
is
concerned
with
all
technical,
legal,
employment
affairs
and
policy
issues
that
may
affect
international
shipping.
ICS
represents
shipowners
with
the
various
intergovernmental
regulatory
bodies
that
impact
on
shipping,
including
the
International
Maritime
Organization.
ICS
also
develops
best
practices
and
guidance,
including
a
wide
range
of
publications
and
free
resources
that
are
used
by
ship
operators
globally.
https://www.ics-shipping.org/about-ics/about-ics
- Number of Pages:
- 32
- ISBN:
- 9781838078478
- Published Date:
- June 2020
- Book Height:
- 310 mm
- Book Width:
- 210 mm
- Author:
International Chamber of Shipping
- Preview:
- Yes