Research on governance of HFO use and carriage on ships in accordance with the Polar Code

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the environmental damages caused by the use and carriage of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) by ships in Arctic waters. We also review efforts made by major international and regional organizations in governing the use and carriage of HFO by ships in Arctic waters after implementation of the Polar Code, and analyze the obstacles and difficulties that lie ahead. By illustrating the features of the Arctic Council and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which govern Arctic waters, we examine measures taken by these two organizations in tackling HFO issues. These include: assessing indigenous and local community’s reliance on HFO transportation in the Arctic, developing risk prevention measures for ships operating in Arctic waters, seeking economic alternatives to HFO that contribute to a greener economy, developing a package of HFO governance measures, strengthening cooperation between relevant international and regional organizations that govern HFO to provide suggestions for follow-up discussions on HFOs, and optimize governance by relevant organizations and determine a better global solution to governing the use and carriage of HFO by ships. In addition, we discuss the feasibility of an IMO-imposed HFO ban from the perspective of the Arctic governance to clearly grasp the path of its future development. Citation: Han J L. Research on governance of HFO use and carriage on ships in accordance with the Polar Code. Adv Polar Sci, 2018, 29 (4): 283-290, doi: 10.13679/j.advps.2018.4.00283