Tag: IMO

Japan supports that open-loop scrubbers' water discharge does not damage the environment. In a presentation at IMO, the country concluded that open-looped scrubbers will not lead to to short or long term impacts on marine organisms. The presentation also added that there is no scientific back-up to not allow the uses of open-loop scrubbers, provided that certain IMO requirements are met.

IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) met from 18 to 22 February at IMO headquarters and focused on finalizing draft Guidelines on the implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit under MARPOL Annex VI. After discussions, the Sub-Committee agreed to the results below.

Increased diversity awareness and empowerment of women in the maritime world is gaining ground lately with relevant events being held and interesting issues toping their agendas. On top of that, the theme of World Maritime Day 2019 is dedicated to empowering women in the maritime community.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) supports UN IMO's decision that safety or operational concerns on the quality of low sulphur fuels is a good reason for shipowners to be issued with a Fuel Oil Non Availability Report (FONAR) when the IMO global sulphur cap comes into full effect on 1 January 2020.

Danish Maritime Authority discussed about the agreements made on PPR 6 and focused on the progress the IMO members made towards the  Organization’s final preparations for the new global sulphur regulation. More importantly, the Authority highlighted that the participants agreed on a number of measures for consistent implementation and enforcement of the new rules.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the latest state to endorse the IMO instrument providing rules for the prevention of air pollution from ships and energy efficiency requirements. The overall number of ratifications of MARPOL Annex VI is 93, and reflects the 96.6% of the global merchant shipping tonnage.

A recent report by OceanCare, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Seas at Risk and Natural Resources Defense Council, found that the EU could fail to protect marine wildlife from the impacts of intense underwater noise levels by 2020, despite a requirement to do so under EU marine law. The report raises concerns that despite evidence that noise sources are damaging marine species, some governments continue to call for further research instead of taking action.

IBIA announced that it will be present at the 6th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 6), which will endeavour to complete work on remaining issues relating to consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit set to take effect from 1 January 2020.

SEA EUROPE stated that with 90% of international trade, 80% of the EU’s external trade and 40% of the EU’s internal trade carried by water, shipping is vital for trade. In the meantime, shipping accounts for the 3.1% of CO2 emissions. Should no actions to be taken, shipping emissions could exceed the 250% by 2050. 

The Netherlands has become the eighth country to ratify the Hong Kong Convention, the treaty for safe and environmentally-sound ship recycling, IMO announced. Mr. Dick Brus, Directorate for Maritime Affairs of the Netherlands, met IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim at IMO Headquarters, in London, on 20 February, to deposit the instrument of acceptance.