Shipping and threats to the Antarctic marine environment

The increasing presence of ships and shipping accidents is the most important source of threats and pollution to the Antarctic marine ecosystem. This article seeks to evaluate the effectiveness, deterrence and comprehensiveness of Antarctic marine environmental laws governing ships.

This research was conducted using the qualitative method of Trend Impact Analysis research. Trends are a continuous chain of events, especially flow-making events, that determine the current situation and inform about possible future situations. According to its qualitative nature, the sources used in this research are documentary and library type. The required data have been collected from first-hand legal documents, books, authoritative articles and websites related to the subject.

The research showed that the environmental threat of ships, especially with the emergence of new threats in the coming years, due to reasons such as climate change, global warming, and the gradual melting of polar ice on the one hand and On the other hand, the geostrategic competition of big powers in Antarctica will increase. Therefore, in order to sustainably protect the Antarctic marine environment, green shipping and the use of environmentally friendly ships should be ordered by related institutions.

the multi-level and strict legal system of the Antarctic marine environment, having conditions of harmony and complementarity with the international environmental law, has a favorable and appropriate efficiency and deterrence in the protection of the Antarctic marine ecosystem, but Due to taking for granted the prohibition of military activities in this region, at least until the revision of the Antarctic Treaty in 2048 and as a result, the silence of the relationship between warships and the marine environment of the Antarctic seems to be insufficient in terms of comprehensiveness.