The eleventh session of IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 11), took place 19 – 23 February, where discussions on prevention of pollution in the marine environment took place prior to agreement by the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC).
The Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) deals with all matters relating to pollution prevention and response which falls within IMO’s remit. This ranges from all annexes of the MARPOL Convention through to the control and management of harmful aquatic organisms in ships’ ballast water and sediments; biofouling; anti-fouling system; pollution preparedness, response and cooperation for oil and hazardous and noxious substances; and the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships.
According to Lloyd’s Register, key findings of the eleventh session of the Committee include:
Safety and pollution hazards of chemicals and preparation of consequential amendments to the IBC Code
- A review and update of the carriage requirements in the MEPC.2 Circular Provisional Categorization of Liquid Substances in Accordance with MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code (expected to be MEPC.2/Circ.30 taking effect in December 2024).
- A revised MEPC.1/Circ.590 on Revised tank cleaning additives guidance note and reporting form (expected to be approved as MEPC.1/Circ.590/Rev.1 in October 2024).
Reduction of the impact on the Arctic of Black Carbon emissions from international shipping
- Guidance on best practice on recommendatory goal-based control measures to reduce the impact on the Arctic of Black Carbon emissions from International Shipping (expected to be approved October 2024)
- Guidelines on recommendatory Black Carbon emission measurement, monitoring and reporting (expected October 2024)
Development of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI and the NOX Technical Code on the use of multiple engine operational profiles for a marine diesel engine including clarifying engine test cycles
- Draft amendments to the NOx Technical Code and consequential amendments to MARPOL Annex VI to, inter alia, facilitate engines with multiple operational profiles. (If adopted by MEPC 83 in the first half of 2025 the amendments will enter force in the second half of 2026)
Development of measures to reduce risks of use and carriage of heavy fuel oil as fuel by ships in Arctic waters
- Guidelines on mitigation measures to reduce risks of use and carriage for use of HFO as fuel by ships in arctic waters. (expected to be approved at MEPC 81,March 2024)
Follow-up work emanating from the Action Plan to address marine plastic litter from ships
- Draft Circular on Recommendations for the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers (expected to be approved at MEPC 81, March 2024)
- Draft Best practice guidelines to clean up spills of plastic pellets (expected to be approved at MEPC 82)
