The international shipping community is watching with great interest the discussions at the 72nd session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 72) which started on 9th of April in London. The committee is expected to adopt the Initial Greenhouse Gas emission reduction strategy to minimize air pollution, in line with climate goals as defined in Paris Agreement.
In his opening address, IMO Secretary-General reiterated an encouragement to the industry to work together and to break new ground and to demonstrate the best cooperative spirit, towards this goal:
The Organization’s work to address greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping now features prominently in our Strategic Plan with the adoption by the Assembly last year of Strategic Direction 3 “Respond to Climate Change”. This week, we must continue to carry on with the good progress towards achieving this objective to meet the expectations of the wider international community and honour the commitment made when the Roadmap was approved in 2016 of having an initial Strategy adopted by this session.
MEPC 72 comes exactly after a difficult week of talks on an interim greenhouse gas strategy for shipping, which “saw little progress towards a final outcome with some deep divisions and much work remaining,” according to sustainable transport group Transport & Environment (T&E). On the MEPC 72, Faig Abbasov, shipping policy officer at T&E, said:
Progress…will require significant concessions from all sides and there is a danger that this could prevent agreement on a meaningful and ambitious outcome. The IMO faces one of its toughest tests to prove it’s relevant to the climate process and that it’s capable of delivering solutions to address shipping’s climate impact.
Although global attention is focused on GHG emissions form ships, the Committee is expected to deal with many other issues as well. Namely, it is expected to adopt amendments to the BWM Convention, which were approved at MEPC 71. The draft amendments relate to the implementation of the treaty, including the schedule for ships to comply with the requirement to meet the so-called D-2 standard.
A particular topic that is expected to dominate your discussions, not only at this session but also in the years to come, is the experience-building phase, which was also approved at the last session and will be very important during the early implementation phase of the Convention, which will undoubtedly be a learning period for both shipowners and Administrations.
Another key issue to be discussed is the IMO 2020 sulphur cap. The MEPC will consider draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI to prohibit the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil. The exception would be for ships with an approved “equivalent arrangement” to meet the sulphur limit, such as scrubbers. MEPC 72 will also consider a draft for best practice guidance for fuel oil purchasers/users; and for fuel oil providers. The best practices are intended to ensure quality of fuel oil used by ships. Mr. kitack Lim said:
Whilst I acknowledge the concerns raised by some governments about the implementation challenges, the lower global sulphur limit will have a significant beneficial impact on human health, particularly for people living in port cities and coastal communities and on the oceans by reducing acidification due to limiting atmospheric fall-out of acidic gases . Consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit for all ships will ensure a level playing field is maintained and I was pleased to see the proposal for a carriage ban of non-compliant fuel oil used on board ships given support, and the urgency of the matter reflected in the submission to this session of draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI for consideration with a view to approval, and then adoption at MEPC 73.
At this session, the Committee will also be considering the issue of marine plastic litter, which is at the heart of the United Nations SDG 14.
The 30th session of the IMO Assembly recognized the ongoing problem of marine plastic pollution, as addressed in MARPOL Annex V, which requires further consideration as part of a global solution within the framework of ocean governance, in pursuance of SDG 14’s target to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds by 2025. The Assembly referred the matter to this Committee for detailed consideration and action as deemed necessary. I am confident that the Committee will do its utmost to find a way ahead to further address the issue of marine plastic litter from shipping.
Moving to ship recycling, Mr. Kitack Lim further stressed the importance of the Hong Kong Convention as “the only workable instrument currently available for international shipping, taking into account the particular characteristics of maritime transport.”
Therefore, we must accelerate the process of ratification and ensure its early entry into force in order to ensure the safety of workers and the protection of the environment. It is encouraging that leading international associations of shipowners have agreed to support voluntary adherence to the requirements of the Convention prior to its entry into force; some leading shipping and ship recycling countries are now accelerating their efforts towards the ratification of or accession to the HKC. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to urge recycling and flag States to make every effort to bring the Convention into force as soon as possible.
Amendments MARPOL Annex VI concerning ECAs and the required EEDI for ro-ro cargo and ro-ro passenger ships, as well as information on technical cooperation activities related to the protection of the marine environment are other items on the agenda.
“Today I once again exhort all of you to demonstrate the best cooperative spirit, in the interest of maritime communities and future generations.” IMO head Kitack Lim opens packed environment meeting with clear message to delegates https://t.co/InPnv7wyd0 #MEPC72 #ClimateChange pic.twitter.com/WfWndSobZY
— IMO (@IMOHQ) April 9, 2018
IMO has also issued a loosely-cut and ready-to-air video footage covering the MEPC 72.
