What’s on the agenda for IMO MEPC 76

A virtual drafting group on amendments to mandatory instruments will undertake an editorial review of draft amendments to MARPOL Annexes I, IV and VI and the AFS Convention, which were approved at MEPC 75.

[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]

Lloyd’s Register issued a briefing summarizing key items of the discussions:

-Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI and short term GHG reduction 

• Introducing new regulations 22 (attained EEXI), 25 (required EEXI) and 28 (operational carbon intensity) are due for adoption alongside the guidelines supporting EEXI and operational carbon intensity reduction measures.
• Review of the results of Impact Assessment on States.

The major issue that this MEPC is going to deal with is the reduction of GHG emissions, -the short-term measures- which are no other than EEXI and the CII,

…stressed Panos Zachariadis, Technical Director, Atlantic Bulk Carriers Management Ltd. at a 2021 GREEN4SEA Talk on MEPC 76.

The EEXI is more progressed and is pretty much finalized -except for a few issues that need to be clarified- and much more straight forward than CII, which I think is a complicated regulation with many aspects that are up for discussion,

…he added.

-GHG reduction mid and long-term measures / R&D 

• Discussions on enhancing the viability of low and zero-carbon fuels, market-based measures / universal GHG levy.
• Revised proposals for the International Maritime R&D Board (IMRB) and Fund (IMRF).

-Aquatic environment 

• Clarifications to the Form of the International Ballast Water Management Certificate (IBWMC).
• Adoption of amendments to the AFS Convention prohibiting cybutryne.
• Approval of MEPC Circulars to address marine plastic litter from ships.

We anticipate that the discussions on shipboard preparations and the BWM in ports with challenge water quality, will be the highlight of the session and this is very important topic for both shipowners and manufacturers,

…noted Dr. Efi Tsolaki, President, BEMA.

There will be also some interesting on BWM, like one interesting from Liberia an other countries commenting on how to address the issue of challenging waters.

…said Stamatis Fradelos, Regional Bulk Carriers Segment Director (Maritime – South East Europe, Middle East & Africa), DNV Hellas S.A.

-SOx and Fuel 

• Scoping of guidance work for discharge of scrubber water to be agreed.
• Review of marine fuel quality – VLSFO vs HSFO and Impact of Black Carbon Emissions from shipping.

-MARPOL Annex I 

• Amendments to incorporate a prohibition on the use and carriage for use of heavy fuel oil as fuel by ships in Arctic waters, Guidelines for handling oily waste in machinery spaces and amendments to the IOPP Certificate and the Oil Record Book.

We also have an interesting proposal submission by EU Commission, supported by other member states, about the discharge water and what will be the case of breakdown of exhaust gas cleaning systems,

…added Mr. Fradelos.

From my perspective, the MEPC will result in a good progress on the development of clear directions for shipowners in the situation where ambient water quality present challenges for normal ballast incorporations,

…concluded Dr. Tsolaki.

My expectation is to have bigger clarity on CII and make real progress on the carbon levy but I think with there being an extreme push by some parties to raise the MBMs on the agenda, I think we may see an understanding that those be at a much higher agenda level for MEPC 77,

…added Gavin Allwright, Secretary-General, International Windship Association (IWSA).

EXPLORE MORE IN THE LR DOCUMENT HERE