Agenda Item 2
/Topics for the Joint Ministerial Meeting and their preparation – Environmental Impact of Shipping
Document code: / 2.3/xDate: / 19.03.2003
Submitted by: / WWF
Comments and proposals with regard to the further development of draft text on the environmental impact of shipping for the Ministerial Declaration
The Meeting is invited to consider the proposals and comments presented by WWF when discussing document JHOD 2/2003, 2.3/2.
Comments and proposals with regard to the further development of draft text on the environmental impact of shipping for the Ministerial Declaration
Presented by WWF
Background
- In light of recent environmental disasters such as the sinking of the Prestige off the Galician coast, the emerging and increasing accidental risks identified in the Baltic Sea and the obvious link between North-East Atlantic and Baltic in terms of shipping routes and transportation patterns, WWF strongly welcomes the joint approach taken by the OSPAR and Helsinki Commissions to help reduce the environmental impact of shipping.
- WWF believes that such transregional concerted action on shipping will also add value to the effective implementation of IMO measures in general and help tighten up standards and regulations to avoid and eliminate non-accidental risks and chronical pollution caused by maritime traffic.
- With a focus on §§ 11-12 of document 2.3/2, WWF would like to provide comments and make initial proposals for draft Ministerial Declaration text as attached.
Action requested
- JHOD is invited to consider WW’s text proposals and comments and decide on action as appropriate.
Comments and proposals with regard to the further development of draft text on the environmental impact of shipping for the Ministerial Declaration
Re 11b 12a
WWF supports the development of an EC Directive, with some caution, and believes that the OSPAR and HELCOM States and the EC should work co-operatively within the IMO to seek a global solution to the carriage of the heaviest grade oil in double-hull tankers. While WWF understands the desire from the EC to reduce environmental threats posed by such transport in single hull tankers, we do not see it as appropriate to protect the Baltic Sea and NE Atlantic waters or all European waters at the expense of the waters of other coastal nations.
Re 11d
WWF supports HELCOM Ministers‘ commitment to a Baltic Sea PSSA and believes that in the Ministerial Declaration OSPAR and HELCOM Ministers should make a commitment to work co-operatively within the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to designate the Baltic Sea, the Belt Seas and Kattegat PSSA with carefully selected additional mesures tailored for individual sites.
OSPAR Ministers should make a commitment to work with the EC and undertake a risk assessment of the most sensitive and vulnerable waters of the NE Atlantic, including NW coast of Spain, west coast of France, SW approaches to the English Channel / La Manche, and the west coasts of UK and Eire, with a view to deciding if and where PSSA(s) designation is required in the NE Atlantic.
WWF is also concerned about the rapid increase in oil transportation along the biologically rich and highly sensitive Norwegian Barents Sea coast, and urges the Norwegian government to seek PSSA status for this area.
Re 11e
OSPAR and HELCOM Ministers should agree to take urgent and co-ordinated steps to reduce the problem of spreading of non-indigenous invasive organisms to and within the Baltic Sea and NE Atlantic maritime area in accordance with international law and in order to fully implement IMO Guidelines (Resolution A.868(20)) and decide upon national and/or regional measures by the end of 2004.
Furthermore, OSPAR and HELCOM Ministers should agree to co-ordinate efforts with the IMO to ensure that the upcoming "International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship's Ballast Water and Sediments", contains provisions that will effectively reduce the risk of introduction of alien species to the Baltic and North East Atlantic.
Co-ordinated efforts should also be made to promote a rapid entry-into-force mechanism for the new Convention.
Re 11f and beyond
OSPAR and HELCOM Ministers should urge the Paris Memorandum signatories and/or EU states to improve the inspection and harmonise the rigor of inspections in all ports in order to avoid distortion of the port state control regime and to prevent vessels from docking in those ports that have less stringent controls.
Re 12a and beyond
OSPAR and HELCOM Ministers should commit to an initiative to harmonise the ice-classification standards. OSPAR and HELCOM States and the EC should work co-operatively within the IMO to seek transparency in the activities of the classification societies.
Additional issues
Operational discharges
OSPAR and HELCOM Ministers should agree to co-operate in the development of the concept of vessels designed, constructed and operated in an integrated manner to eliminate harmful discharges and emissions throughout their working life, as agreed by North Sea Environment Ministers in Bergen, March 2002.
Illegal discharges of oil and other substances is still a considerable problem in the HELCOM / OSPAR areas. WWF is pleased to see improved co-ordination of efforts to combat these problems through the Bonn Agreement and the Helsinki Commission. However, given the fact that illegal discharges are still occurring in considerable numbers, and causing inter alia frequent strandings of oiled seabirds, WWF wants to see increased surveillance of ship traffic via flights and/or satellite as well as a co-ordinated system for the prosecution of offenders. Tele-detection and monitoring systems for oil spills should be established and promoted to help trace and avoid illegal discharges.
Antifouling paints
OSPAR and HELCOM Ministers should commit to urgent ratification of the Antifouling System Convention and agree to adopt a common strategy for reductions in the harmful effects of other alternative antifouling compounds, ensuring that toxic compounds are gradually replaced by viable, non-toxic alternatives, including for smaller vessels.
Regional contingency plan
OSPAR and HELCOM Ministers should commit to define, develop and implement a Regional Contigency Plan for a rapid response to oil and chemical spills in a co-ordinated manner among all the Contracting Parties.
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