Tag: MEPC 63

IMO Maritime Environment Protection Committee 63 outcome Singapore MPA issued a circular regarding Resolutions adopted during the 63rd session of the IMO Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 63).The mandatory resolutions include the following:a. Resolution MEPC.216(63) - Amendments to Annexes I, II, IV and V ofMARPOL 73/78 (Regional arrangements for port reception facilities underMARPOL Annexes I, II, IV and V) (applicable from 1 Aug 2013);The amendments provide for regional arrangements for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) when, because of these States' unique circumstances, such arrangements are the only practical means to satisfy the respective requirements of MARPOL Annexes I, II, IV and V. Partiesparticipating in a regional arrangement shall develop a Regional ReceptionFacilities Plan, taking into account the guidelines developed by theOrganization.b. Resolution MEPC.217(63) - Amendments to Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78(Regional arrangements for port reception facilities under MARPOL AnnexVI and certification of marine diesel engines fitted with selective catalyticreduction systems under the NOx Technical Code 2008) (applicable from1 Aug 2013);The amendments provide for regional arrangements for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to satisfy the requirements of paragraph 1 ofregulation 17 of the MARPOL Annex VI when, because of these States'unique circumstances, such arrangements are the only practical means tosatisfy these ...

MEPC 63, new USCG standards, Unitor BWMS recall from the market and the new California sewage water The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) held its 63rd session from 27 February to 2 March 2012.There was general agreement that treated sewage in ballast tanks is a MARPOL Annex IV issue(Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships); grey water was not discussed in detail. The issue is expected to be addressed at the next MEPC in October. In the meanwhile, DNV recommends not fitting any connections from sewage or grey water to the ballast tanks onboard ships.The IACS proposal to issue certificates prior to the entry into force of the Ballast Water Management Convention (to save time) with a stamp stating that the certificate is only valid once the Convention enters into force received general support. DNV recommends that shipowners request these pre-certificates (together with approved BWM Plans and initial surveys for exchange) at their earliest convenience to avoid queuing up when the BWM Convention is fully ratified.A proposal for test facilities to have a shorter retention time when testing for type approval under the G8 Guidelines of the BWM Convention due to high water temperature was discussed and acknowledged. However ...

Strong opposition from major shipping associations Market-based measures to reduce carbon emission from international shipping were among the key items on the agenda of the 63rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which will be held in London from Feb. 27 to March 2. It was suggested at the session that an expert group should be set up to carry out a feasibility study of the market-based carbon-cutting measures, and to determine the amount of emission reductions, carbon tax rate, and subsidies for developing countries.Strong opposition from major shipping associationsHowever, the market-based measures have received strong opposition from the world's major shipping associations, including the Baltic and International Maritime Council and International Chamber of Shipping. These associations believe that it's not the right time to apply such measures, and suggest reducing carbon emissions by improving ships' energy efficiency. Analysts also noted that different countries have different and even conflicting stances on the plan of shipping carbon tax, making it hard to reach a consensus.The Reuters cited an aviation and maritime research analyst as saying that the MEPC is likely to postpone a decision on market-based mechanisms until the impacts on developing countries ...

IMO adopts important guidelines to support implementation of mandatory energy efficiency measures An important series of guidelines to support the uniform implementation of mandatory measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping was adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), when it met for its 63rd session from 27 February to 2 March 2012, at IMO Headquarters in London, paving the way for the regulations to be smoothly and uniformly implemented by Administrations and industry.The MEPC also continued its intensive discussion on market-based measures for greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping. During the busy session, the MEPC also adopted amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) relating to regional arrangements for port reception facilities; and adopted guidelines related to the implementation of the revised MARPOL Annex V (Garbage) and the Hong Kong Convention for the recycling of ships.The MEPC also granted basic and final approval to a number of ballast water management systems that make use of active substances.Guidelines for implementation of energy efficiency measures adoptedThe MEPC adopted four sets of guidelines intended to assist in the implementation of the ...

Energy Efficiency and GHG high on the agenda The 63rd session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) has been held this week in London. BIMCO representatives attended the weeklong meeting coming to closure later today.Ship energy efficiency and Green House Gasses (GHG) are high on the agenda and have been atthe core of the IMO's work this week trying to develop and enact regulatory measures aiming at reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and air pollutants.Recycling of shipsThe Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May 2009 by IMO at a diplomatic conference held in Hong Kong, and IMO is in the process of developing guidelines to assist stakeholders to fulfill the requirements in the convention.MEPC 63 finalised two IMO guidelines: Guidelines on safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships and Guidelines on the authorization of Ship Recycling Facilities. The Guidelines on safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships provide ship recycling facilities with recommendations for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships and implementation of the Hong Kong Convention. The guidelines on the Authorization of Ship Recycling Facilities gives administrations recommendations for establishing mechanisms for authorizing Ship ...