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and freeboard of ships to ensure their stability by preventing overloading.
It likewise prescribes visible special markings amid ships on each side of
the ship in order to determine their loading limits under different types of
water conditions.
"As a nation with a long history of sea tragedies, the Philippines has
recognized the important role of the Load Lines Convention as a major
pillar of maritime safety by preventing the overloading of ships through
the presence of visible load line marks," Legarda explained.
"The Philippines' accession to Load Lines Convention will demonstrate
our country's commitment in ensuring the safety of ships and preventing
accidents that could lead to massive loss of life and serious damage to the
marine environment through oil spills," she added.
The International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling
Systems on Ships, 2001, or the AFS Convention, which was signed by
Presidnet Durterte on May 16, 2017, aims to address the risks of the
harmful compounds that threaten the sustainability of the marine
environment and safety of human health due to the contamination of
marine species. It prohibits the use of harmful "organotins" or chemical
compounds based on tin and carbon, considered toxic and have long-
term adverse effect in the environment.
"Scientific studies and investigations by the governments and
competent international organizations have shown that certain AFS used
on ships pose a substantial risk of toxicity and other chronic impacts to
ecologically and economically important maritime organisms, and that
human health may be harmed as a result of the consumption of affected
seafood," Legarda said.
"As an archipelagic country of more than 7,000 islands, it is only
logical that safeguarding the state of our marine flora and fauna will be
foremost in our agenda as this will be our most important legacy to the
next generation of Filipinos--a healthy ocean and a sustainable and robust
marine environment," Legarda added.
The Protocol of 1997 to Amend the International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as Modified by the Protocol
of 1978 Relating Thereto, or the MARPOL Protocol ratified on August 9,
2017, concurred in the accession to the 1997 protocol amending the
international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships
(MARPOL), as modified by the 1978 protocol.
The 1997 protocol sets limits on the main air pollutants contained in
ships' exhaust gas, including sulphur dioxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide
(NOx) emissions. It prohibited deliberate emissions of ozone-depleting
substances, and required the designation of emission control areas,
setting more stringent strategies for SOx, NOx, and particulate matter.
"Air pollution from international shipping accounts approximately for
50,000 premature deaths per year in Europe, at an annual cost to society
The Protocol 1978, SOLAS Convention, which was signed by President
Rodrigo Duterte on August 10, 2017. The Convention requires crude
carriers and product carriers of 20,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT) and
above to be fitted with an inert gas system. All ships of 1,600-10,000 gross
registered tonnage (GRT) and above must have two radars, each capable
of operating independently.
of more than €58 billion according to recent scientific studies," Legarda
revealed.
"The Protocol requires that ships over 400 gross tonnage (GT) and all
platforms and drilling rigs engaged in voyages to ports and waters where
the MARPOL convention applies have a valid International Air Pollution
Prevention Certificate (IAPPC) confirming compliance with both the
equipment and operational requirements of Annex VI," Legarda explained.
The Agreement to Promote Compliance with International
Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High
Seas, was signed by President Duterte on August 10, 2017.
The agreement, Legarda said, applies to all fishing vessels authorized
by the state party to fly its flag on the high seas for fishing operations.
This likewise establishes flag state responsibility in ensuring that fishing
vessels, entitled to fly the flag of a state party, do not engage in activities
that undermine the effectiveness of international conservation and
management measures.
Another maritime convention is the Agreement on Port State Measures
to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU)
Fishing.
Under the agreement, foreign vessels intending to enter designated
ports were required to provide advance notice to port authorities and
request permission for port entry. The Philippines, acting as a Port State,
could deny a vessel entry into its ports if it has sufficient proof that the
vessel had engaged in IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of
such fishing.
"The Philippines may also deny a foreign vessel entry into its
designated ports if it is included in a list of vessels engaged in such
activities by a relevant regional fisheries management organization in
accordance with the rules and procedures of such organization and in
conformity with international law," Legarda said. (Yvonne Almirañez)
http://senate.gov.ph/press_release/2018/0305_prib3.asp
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