The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition said it was disappointed over the lack of any significant new provisions in Part II of the Polar Code, adopted by IMO on Friday, that would adequately protect the Antarctic environment from shipping.

“While ASOC welcomes the adoption of Part II of the Polar Code on pollution prevention and that Arctic waters will now receive the same protection as already in place for Antarctica, we remain extremely disappointed that the International Maritime Organization has missed a unique opportunity to improve protection of Antarctic waters,” said Sian Prior, Shipping Advisor to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition .