2.24 Paragraph 17.30(a)(ix) of Chapter 17 of Agenda 21
encouraged IMO and IAEA to work together to complete
consideration of a code on the safe carriage of irradiated
nuclear fuel in flasks on board ships.
2.25 As a result of considerations at MEPC and MSC, the
IMO Assembly, at its eighteenth session in 1993, adopted the
Code for the Safe Carriage of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel,
Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes in Flasks on
Board Ships, or INF Code in short, under cover of resolution
A.748(18).The INF Code stipulates that, all ships carrying
INF materials, regardless of size, should comply with
relevant requirements concerning damage stability, fire
protection, temperature control of cargo spaces, structural
considerations, cargo securing arrangements, electric
supplies, radiological protection equipment and management,
training and shipboard emergency plan. This is the first
international code prescribing such requirements.
2.26 In view of the importance of the matter and the
request of a number of Member Governments, the IMO Assembly,
at its nineteenth session in 1995, adopted resolution
A.790(19) on the review of the INF Code for the purpose of a
through examination of all aspects of the carriage by sea of
INF materials.
2.27 The IMO Assembly, at its twentieth session in 1997,
amended the INF Code by resolution A.853(20) to require
shipboard emergency plans and notification in the event of an
incident involving INF material. Furthermore, the IMO
Assembly, at the same session, adopted resolution A.854(20)
on guidelines for developing shipboard emergency plans for
ship carrying matcrial subject to the INF Code.
2.28 In the process of review, the matter of mandatory
application of the INF Code was raised. As a result of
intensive considerations, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)
and the MEPC decided that the INF Code, together with
subsequent amendments, should be made mandatory. At its
sixty-ninth session in May 1998, the MSC approved the
proposed amendments to chapter VII of the SOLAS Convention to
make the INF Code mandatory and the draft revised text of the
INF Code, with a view to adoption, following the MEPC's
concurrence, by MSC 71 in 1999.
Prevention of marine pollution through port State control
2.29 Paragraph 17.30(a)(iii) of Chapter 17 of Agenda 21
requested IMO to assess the need for additional measures to
prevent marine pollution from ships by more rigorous
enforcement of MARPOL discharge provisions through regional
co-operation.
2.30 In considering this request from UNCED, IMO
recognizes that the primary responsibility for implementing
the regulations provided for in IMO conventions rests with
the flag State. However, it also acknowledges the need for
port State control (PSC) with a view to promoting more
effective implementation of all applicable standards for
maritime safety and pollution prevention.
2.31 With the above in mind, IMO adopted a number of
resolutions in respect of PSC over the years. In 1995,
resolution A. 787(19) was adopted by the 19th Assembly of IMO
amalgamating guidelines contained in relevant IMO resolutions
with the aim of providing one set of basic guidelines on the
conduct of PSC inspections.
