Tag: MEPC 64

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines administration issued a circular advising ships of the annexed Resolution MEPC.226(64), adopted 5 October, 2012 designating the Saba Bank as a particularly sensitive area. On 1st June 2013, the Saba Bank area became a PSSA, as well as an ATBA. As such, ships of 300 GT and above are restricted from this area. 

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has submitted a document to IMO to highlight the increasing importance of reliability assessing the availability of MARPOL Annex VI

Interim Guidelines for Determining Min Propulsion Power for Ship in Adverse Conditions

Ballast Water Management - issues discussed at MEPC 64

Latest IMO Developments

Unified Interpretations for new ships, conversions and SEEMP timing

Several decisions taken and agenda moved forward The IMO MEPC held its 64th Session at IMO from Monday 1 through Friday 5 October under the Chairmanship of Mr Andreas Chrysostomou (Cyprus). He, together with his Vice-Chairman, Mr Arsenio Dominguez (Panama) also present, were re-elected for 2013. This was a big meeting, attendance being in the order of 900 delegates. However, thanks to good forward planning and a brisk Chairman, the extensive agenda was completed in a timely manner.A Review Group on Ballast Water matters was formed together with 3 Working Groups on the subjects of Ship Recycling, Technical Co-Operation and Transfer of Technology, also Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency.In addition, 2 Drafting Groups studied Amendments to the IBC Code and Interpretations/Reports of sub-committees. Finally, an informal Technical Group met out-of-hours to report on the Saba Bank PSSA.Following is a short summary of salient agenda items of most interest to Intermanager Members:HARMFUL AQUATIC ORGANISMS IN BALLAST WATER This was undoubtedly the item of most concern to the shipping industry; 35 submitted papers demonstrated the importance attached to it by Member States, and the industry. Three more States, Denmark, Niue and the Russian Federation have acceded to the BWM Convention since MEPC ...

IMOs Marine Environment Protection Committee from 1 to 5 of October, 2012 Discussions at the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 64) this week include the following points of particular interest on bunker issues, air emissions and ship efficiency:Availability of fuel studyIt was decided that the study on availability of fuel, that was due to be completed by 2018, should not be commenced any further in advance. It was felt that the study will probably not be commenced before 2016, with a request for any further submissions not to be made on this subject until MEPC 66, which will be in 2014.Sampling of fuel onboardAlthough there were no submissions on this matter, MEPC 64 reviewed its earlier decision for the development of a standard for sampling of fuel oil onboard ships (engine room).This decision was prompted by information that, in some ports, Port State Control takes such samples to check the sulphur content of a ship's fuel. It was felt, therefore, that the sampling should be done in a similar manner and according to an IMO set of guidelines.Since there were no submissions with specific proposals, it was decided to invite submissions from interested parties. It was assumed that such ...

MEPC 64th session from 1 to 5 October 2012 The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meets for its 64th session from 1 to 5 October 2012, at IMO Headquarters in London.As well as discussing matters relating to the implementation of energy-efficiency, ballast water management and ship-recycling regulations, the MEPC will also consider formally designating the Saba Bank, in the North-eastern Caribbean area of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA).Work to continue on energy-efficiency measures for ships The MEPC is expected to continue its work on further developing technical and operational measures relating to energy-efficiency measures for ships, based on a work plan agreed at the last session. This follows the adoption of the new chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI, which enters into force on 1 January 2013 and includes new requirements mandating the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), for new ships, and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships.This work will include the development of guidelines for determining minimum propulsion power and speed to enable safe manoeuvring in adverse weather conditions and the development of EEDI frameworks for ships not covered by the current ...