International and national regulation of operational and accidental cruise ships pollution of the marine environment in the Arctic

Abstract

Navigation in the Arctic has always been a unique activity compared to the other marine regions of the world. The main explanations of that are the remoteness of the area, which produces certain risks in terms of timely response to accidents which may occur, and severe climatic conditions, primarily, the coldness and the presence of ice throughout the most part of the year. All this requires special technical skills of the crew and creates serious threats to the safety of ships navigation in this marine area. As a result, the vessels are exposed to cause negative effects to the environment. The research is aimed at the study which possibilities the coastal State has in regulation of operational and accidental pollution to the marine environment from the cruise vessels navigating in the Arctic on the example of international legislation. Consequently, the relevant Norwegian national legislation applicable to Svalbard Arctic maritime zones concerning the aforementioned major topic is examined in the thesis. Together with that, a comparative analysis of the Arctic and Antarctic legal regimes related to the regulation of the marine pollution from the cruise vessels is made.