Tag: MEPC 75

MPA Singapore has issued a circular reminding shipowners that the amendments to the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea (Ballast Water Management) Regulations will come into force on 1 June.

The 75th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 75) took place remotely from 16 to 20 November 2020, and some of the amendments will enter into force on 1 April 2022.

During MEPC 74 back in 2019, IMO approved a draft amendment to the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) to conduct commissioning testing so as to demonstrate through representative sampling and indicative analysis that a BWMS is working properly. According to this amendment, approved in MEPC 75, sampling and analysis should be conducted at commissioning testing for BWMS installed on board ships on or after 1 June 2022.

During MEPC 75 in November 2020, the IMO approved amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, introducing an Energy Efficiency Design Index for existing ships (EEXI). Subject to adoption at MEPC 76 in June 2021, the requirements will enter into force in 2023. DNV GL analyzed the present and future of EEXI in a recent webinar.

ABS issued a white paper discussing the new EEXI regulations that were approved by the recent MEPC, further explaining the amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, Chapter 4.

IBIA sought clarification on the link between sample handling and inclusion of bunker delivery note details of the fuel oil sampled, after the IMO approved a circular on “Guidelines for onboard sampling of fuel oil intended to be used or carried for use onboard a ship”.

Newbuilding orderbooks have reached historically low levels relative to existing fleets, with the dry bulk carrier sector being one of the most extreme examples.

Following the virtual meeting of IMO MEPC 75 on November 16-20, 2020, the Inuit Circumpolar Council urged for stronger protection of arctic shipping, considering the passed HFO ban as "weak".

Interferry, the global trade association representing ferry industry, is conducting a major energy efficiency data survey to ensure that existing ferries can comply with short-term GHG emissions measures, agreed in principle at last week’s IMO MEPC 75 meeting.

On 17 November, MEPC75 gave preliminary approval to the compromise agreement for the package of technical and operational measures to address greenhouse gas emissions from ships in the short run. ESPO sees the agreement as a first step, but stresses the need for higher ambitions.