The 69th session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 69) was held at the headquarters of the IMO in London from 18 to 22 April.
A summary by participants from ClassNK and Working Papers distributed during MEPC 69 as follows:
Ballast Water Management Convention
Status of Ratification
Since the last session, Belgium, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia and Moroccoratified theConvention. Currently, the Convention is ratified by 49 states, representing 34.79%of the world merchant shipping tonnage.
At this session, it was informed that Peru,representing 0.04% of world tonnage,is expected to deposit its instrument for accession to the Convention in the near future.The totalpercentage of tonnage that has ratified the Conventionincluding Peru willbe stand at 34.83%,however, the Convention has not yet come into force.Finland, representing 0.14% of world tonnage,also announced that it is preparing to ratify the Convention.
Draft amendments to the Convention based on resolution A.1088(28)
At this session, draft amendments to regulation B-3 of the Convention reflecting the requirements of resolution A.1088(28) was approved. The draft amendments will be kept in abeyance for circulation immediately upon entry into force of the Convention with a view to subsequent adoption.
Additional revision of application schedule of regulation B-3
At this session, Liberia proposed to revise application schedule of regulation B-3, which allows additional extension from the installation of the Systems to existing ships, if ballast water exchange is appropriately conducted. The proposal was based on an assumption that dockyard capacity for retrofitting the system will fall short of the peak demand.
As a result of the discussion, it was agreed not to consider the proposal any further at this session, as opinions were divided. The Committee invited Liberia and other interested delegations to submit further information to a future session.
Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems
At this session, three (3) final approvals were granted to Ballast Water Management Systems using active substances. The number of systems which can be actually installed on board, i.e. which are type-approved by the Administration, including the systems not using active substances, has reached sixty five (65) in total.
Review of technological developments for EEDI
Regulation 21.6 of MARPOL Annex VI requires, at the beginning of phase 1 and at the midpoint of phase 2,the review of the status of technological developments which may contribute to the improvement of the EEDI. If proven necessary, MEPC will amend the relevant requirements, i.e. “when to start the phase,” “the EEDI reference line parameters” and “the reduction rate ”. At MEPC 67held in 2014, it was agreed to establish a correspondence group coordinated by Japan and its interim report was submitted at this session.
In the interim report, it was recommended to retain the reduction rates based on the conclusion that the phase 2 criteria can be achieved. However, as a result of the deliberation, it was agreed to continue to conduct the review considering the lack of data used for this review. In this context, it was also agreed to continue to review work at correspondence group in order to analyze the EEDI database with a view to submission of the final report to MEPC 70.
Guidelines for determining minimum propulsion power
Guidelines for determining minimum propulsion power to maintain the manoeuvrability of ships in adverse conditions were developed in order to avoid construction of extremely under-powered ships along with implementation of EEDI requirements. The guidelines stipulated two assessment methods, e.g. level 1 and level 2.At MEPC 68 held in 2015, it was agreed to strengthen the requirements of level 1 assessment and the amendments to the guidelines were adopted. Further, it was agreed that the review of the level 2 assessment would be conducted after receiving the results of ongoing projects of SHOPERA and JASNAOE in the autumn of 2016.
At this session, the progress report of SHOPERA and JASNAOE projects for development of the minimum propulsion power Guidelines was submitted. A presentation on the progress of the project by SHOPERA and JASNAOE was made during this session.
Amendments to EEDI Calculation Guidelines
At this session, China proposed to develop a calculation method for ships equipped with dual fuel engines using gas fuel as non-primary fuel. As a result of the deliberation, while development of such calculation method was supported, it was agreed to reconsider the proposa lat MEPC 70 since the definition in document submitted by China was regarded as unclear.
Data collection system for fuel consumption of ships
At this session, the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI to implement the mandatory data collection system were developed. As a result of the deliberation, the Committee approved the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI with a view to adoption at MEPC 70.Further, it was agreed to establish a correspondence group coordinated by Japan in order to promote the development of the relevant guidelines, etc.
GHG emission reduction target for international shipping
At this session, it was proposed to establish a GHG emission reduction target for international shipping, or develop a work planto establish the target. As a result of the deliberation, it was agreed to introduce the data collection system in MARPOL Annex VI as a matter of priority and continue to consider this matter at next session, with a view to an in-depth discussion on how to progress the matter.
Air pollution
Sulphur content of fuel oils
At this session, a progress report of the review of fuel oil availability made by the Steering Committee, which was established at the last session, was considered. As a result of the discussion, it was agreed to continue the review by the Steering Committee and that final decision on the date of implementation of the global 0.5% sulphurlimit should be made at MEPC 70,where the final report of Steering Committee will be submitted.
Fuel oil quality
At this session, the Committee considered three aspects of possible draft guidance on best practice for fuel oil providers, fuel oil purchaser/user and Member State/coastal State which were developed by the group. As a result of the discussion, it was agreed to continue consideration on the draft guidance by the correspondence group. On the other hand, as for the adequacy of the current legal framework in MARPOL Annex VI, it was agreed that the existing legal framework is adequate and further consideration on this matter is not necessary.
Discharge of cargo hold wash water
It was agreed not to extend application of MEPC.1/Circ.810since an increased number of port reception facilities for HME residues is in place in ports/terminals and the extension of the application of MEPC.1/Circ.810 would not encourage ports/terminals to provide the needed reception facilities but might even prove to be a disincentive. Further, it was also agreed to invite Member Governments to report IMO any alleged inadequacies for port reception facilities, in accordance with the procedures set out in MEPC.1/Circ.834.
Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI
Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI related to record requirements for operational compliance with NOx Tier III emission control areas (ECA) were adopted. The amendments require ships installed marine diesel engines which are certified to Tier II or Tier III emission standards and operating in NOx ECA to record the operational status of marine diesel engines.
It is required to record the on/off status of engines together with the date, time and position of the ship in logbook at entry into/exit from an ECA, and when the on/off status changes within ECA. Entry into force:1 September 2017
Amendments to NOx Technical Code
Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI to apply NOx standards to gas-fuelled engines had been adopted at MEPC 67. With this change, the draft amendments to the NOx Technical Code related to the requirements of the testing of gas-fuelled engines were adopted. Entry into force: 1 September 2017
Amendments to MARPOL Annex IV
Amendments to MARPOL Annex IVto prohibit the discharge of sewage from passenger ships operating in Baltic Sea were adopted. For new passenger ships on or after 1 June 2019, and for existing passenger ships on or after 1 Jury 2021, discharge of sewage within Baltic Sea will be prohibited. For existing passenger ships en route from outside the Baltic Sea with the first port of call located more than 900 nautical miles, it was agreed not to apply the requirements until 31 May 2023. Entry into force: 1 September 2017
Amendments to MARPOL Annex II
In line with the revised GESAMP Hazard Evaluation Procedure, amendments to MARPOL Annex II Appendix I “guidelines for the categorization of noxious liquid substances” were adopted. Entry into force: 1 September 2017
Source: ClassNK
