Tag: MEPC 73

At the last day of MEPC 73 on Friday, IMO adopted an amendment to support consistent implementation of the forthcoming 0.50% sulphur limit. The complementary MARPOL amendment will prohibit the carriage of non-compliant fuel for propulsion or operation onboard -unless the ship has a scrubber.

REMPEC, the IMO-administered marine pollution emergency response centre in the Mediterranean, has concluded a study to evaluate the costs and benefits of implementing a SECA in the Mediterranean region. It found that additional costs will be needed, but health and environmental benefits would be significant.

The adoption of a ban on the carriage of bunkers above 0.50% sulphur is set to proceed, in spite a number of countries that wanted a delay. However, the majority of countries at MEPC73 have expressed their support for adopting it as early as possible, namely from 1 March, 2020.

On Wednesday, October 24, MEPC 73 rejected a proposal for a soft rollout of the 2020 sulphur cap implementation. BIMCO, Intercargo, Intertanko, the Marshall Islands, Liberia, Panama, the Bahamas and the US suggested this 'experience building phase'.

During a MEPC 73 meeting at IMO headquarters, France presented the results of its impact assessment of a possible ECA in the Mediterranean. The findings revealed that a combined ECA which addresses sulphur and nitrogen oxides at the same time has the greatest positive effect in terms of reduced emissions.

IMO’s MEPC 73 has started its session, which will last from 22 to 26 of October.  MEPC moved ahead with its work to deliver the IMO initial strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships, approving a programme of follow-up actions. A working group on GHG reduction will continue discussions, including the fourth IMO GHG study.

As the MEPC 73 starts today in London, the Clean Arctic Alliance calls the member states to reaffirm their commitment towards a ban on the use and carriage of polluting heavy fuel oil from Arctic shipping from 2021. At MEPC 72 most of IMO members agreed in principle to this ban.

The Union of Greek Shipowners announced that it remains committed to the successful implementation of the 2020 sulphur cap. However, President of the UGS, Theodore Veniamis stated that the union cannot unsee the uncertainties regarding the availability and supply of MARPOL compliant fuels which are also SOLAS compliant.

IMO's MEPC 73 will take place on 22-26 October 2018, at IMO Headquarters in London, focusing on key environmental challenges facing the shipping industry. Among the key topics on the agenda are the hot issues of the GHG reduction from ships and 2020 sulphur cap.