MEPC finalises NOx Code work
Norway failed in its bid to persuade the IMOs Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 62) that more parameters should be included on Bunker Delivery Notes (BDN). With strong support from Intertanko, tried to revive a move that had already been rejected by the IMOs Bulk, Liquids and Gases Sub-committee and was widely seen as requiring pre-testing of bunkers.
The UK and other countries proposed the move and MEPC chairman Andreas Chrysostomou said that MEPC had clearly said no to the proposal.
Among several other emissions related measure approved, the MEPC adopted Guidelines for reception facilities under MARPOL Annex VI and Guidelines addressing additional aspects to the NOx Technical Code 2008 with regard to particular requirements related to marine diesel engines fitted with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems.
The MEPC also approved, for future adoption, draft amendments to the NOx Technical Code 2008, relating to engines not pre-certified on a test bed and to NOx-reducing devices. It also agreed terms of reference for the review of the status of technological developments to implement the Tier III NOx emission standard.
The MEPC agreed a work plan on addressing the impact in the Arctic of Black Carbon emissions from ships and instructed the Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases (BLG) to: develop a definition for Black Carbon emissions from international shipping; consider measurement methods for Black Carbon and identify the most appropriate method for measuring Black Carbon emissions from international shipping; investigate appropriate control measures to reduce the impacts of Black Carbon emissions from international shipping in the Arctic; and submit a final report to MEPC 65 in 2014.
Source: World Bunkering
