1. The Load Lines Convention and Arctic Navigation
Aldo Chircop
Chair, CMI International Working Group on Polar Shipping (A. Chircop, N. Reggio, D. Snider, B. Ray)
Contact:

2. Outline Polar shipping regulation context Load Lines Convention
Observations
Particular issues
Conclusion

3. 1. Polar shipping regulation context
Iridium mobile satellite system included in Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, 2013.
STCW Amendments (training for Arctic seafarers), 2010, 2016.
Intact Stability Code (icing allowances in loading), 2008.
SOLAS updates: data in meteorological services and warnings, Ice Patrol Service, danger messages for ice conditions.
Guidelines on Voyage Planning for Passenger Ships in Remote Areas, 2008.
Guide for Cold Water Survival, 2006.
New NAVAREAS and METAREAS, expansion of the World-Wide Navigational Warning System (WWNWS), 2010.
Mandatory ship reporting system for vessels of tons for the Barents Area, 2012.
International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code)(carriage of cargo at low temperature), 2014.
Polar Code; new SOLAS Chap 14; amendments to MARPOL Annexes 1,2, 4, 5), 2014/2015. ?

4. 2. Load Lines Convention Title: Purpose: Scope: Coordination:
International Convention on Load Lines (LLC), 1966 & Protocol, 1988 as amended
Purpose:
to establish uniform principles and rules with respect to the limits to which ships on international voyages may be loaded having regard to the need for safeguarding life and property at sea.
Scope:
Load lines, structure, openings, guard rails and means for safe passage for crew protection, stowage, etc.
International Load Line Certificate.
Coordination:
Functions in association with SOLAS regulations and Intact Stability Code, 2008.
Application:
International voyages.
Source: Marine-Knowledge.Com

6. Annex II Reg Zone Seasons 46
(1) North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone I (NAW I)
WINTER: 16 October to 15 April
SUMMER: 16 April to 15 October
(1) North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II (NAW II)
WINTER: 1 November to 31 March
SUMMER: 1 April to 31 October
(2) North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Area
WINTER: 16 December to 15 February
SUMMER: 16 February to 15 December
(3) North Pacific Winter Seasonal Zone
WINTER: 6 October to 15 April 47
Southern Winter Seasonal Zone
WINTER: 16 April to 15 October
SUMMER: 16 October to 15 April

7. 3. Observations International shipping regulation:
Polar Code and IACS’ Unified Requirements on Polar Class do not address load lines.
LLC has no Arctic annex.
LLC NAW I applies to Greenland waters only.
Changing water regimes:
Continuing sea ice melt trend (NOAA/NIDC, 2015)
Increasing presence of fresh water on ocean surface (Rabe et al, 2013; de Steur et al, 2013)
Expected increase in Arctic shipping (AMSA, 2009).

8. 4. Particular issues Navigation zones and seasons?
Alignment with Polar Code boundaries and polar service temperature?
International and domestic voyages?
Submersion and freeboard?
Additional factors? (e.g., Arctic navigation conditions)
Special regional rules (Art 25)?

9. 5. Conclusion
The CMI International Working Group on Polar Shipping recommends that in light of the absence of Arctic-specific international load lines applicable to waters subject to the Polar Code, it is timely and appropriate to consider load lines for Arctic shipping.
Possible options include:
Extension of the North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone I load lines as defined in Annex II of the Load Lines Convention to Arctic waters as defined in the Polar Code.
Consider the development of a new annex on Arctic load lines for inclusion in the Load Lines Convention.