IMO: Guidelines for reduction of underwater radiated noise

The International Maritime Organization has issued revised guidelines for the reduction of underwater radiated noise from shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life.

MEPC.1/Circ.906 was published on 22 August 2023.

Foreword

Revised guidelines for the reduction of underwater radiated noise from shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life

1 The Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its sixty-sixth session (31 March to 4 April 2014), with a view to providing guidance on the reduction of underwater noise from commercial shipping, and following a recommendation made by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment (DE), at its fifty-seventh session, approved the Guidelines for the reduction of underwater noise from commercial shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life (the Guidelines).

2 The Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its eightieth session (3 to 7 July 2023), following a comprehensive revision of the Guidelines by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC), at its ninth session (23 to 27 January 2023), with a view to increasing awareness, uptake and implementation, approved the annexed Revised guidelines for the reduction of underwater radiated noise from shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life (Revised Guidelines).

3 Member States are invited to use the annexed Revised Guidelines with the aim of reducing underwater radiated noise from ships and to bring them to the attention of all parties concerned, in particular ship and equipment designers, shipbuilders and shipowners and operators, classification societies, suppliers, manufacturers and other stakeholders.

4 Member States and international organizations are also invited to submit information, observations, comments and recommendations based on the practical experience gained through the application of these Revised Guidelines to the Marine Environment Protection Committee under the agenda item "Any other business".

5 These Revised Guidelines will take effect on 1 October 2023.

6 This circular revokes MEPC.1/Circ.833.

The circular contains 21 pages in total.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):