The 76th session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 76) was held from 10 to 17 June, 2021 by video conference, due to the pandemic of COVID-19. The key subjects are the following:

– MARPOL Annex VI-Adopted measures for the reduction of GHG emissions from shipping. More specific, new measures will required to all ships in order to calculate their Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) following technical means to improve their energy efficiency and to establish their annual operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) and CII rating. Carbon intensity links the GHG emissions to the transport work of ships.                                                                                                                                            The EEXI, applicable from the first annual, intermediate or renewal IAPP survey after 1 January 2023. The SEEMP should be kept on-board from1 January 2023. The operational CII rating scheme, taking effect from 1 January 2023.

-MARPOL Annex I – prohibition on the use and carriage for use as fuel of heavy fuel oil by ships in Arctic waters. The MEPC adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex I (addition of a new regulation 43A) to introduce a prohibition on the use and carriage for use as fuel of heavy fuel oil (HFO) by ships in Arctic waters on and after 1 July 2024.

The prohibition will cover the use and carriage for use as fuel of oils having a density at 15°C higher than 900 kg/m3 or a kinematic viscosity at 50°C higher than 180 mm2/s.

Ships which meet construction standards regarding oil fuel tank protection should comply on and after 1 July 2029. For vessels with fuel oil tanks under MARPOL Annex I or the Polar Code, the prohibition will apply from 1 July 2029.

-Amendments to MARPOL Annexes I and IV concerning the exemption of UNSP barges from survey and certification requirements. The MEPC adopted amendments to draft amendments to MARPOL Annexes I and IV concerning the exemption of UNSP barges from survey and certification requirements. UNSP barges being exempted will be issued an exemption certificate valid for 5 years instead of the relevant MARPOL certificate. The amendments also provide the form for the International Oil Pollution Exemption Certificate for Unmanned Non-self-propelled Barges.                                                                                                                                                          

-Amendments to AFS Convention–cybutryne. The MEPC adopted amendments to the IMO Convention for the Control of Harmful Anti-   fouling Systems on Ships (AFS Convention), to include controls on the biocide cybutryne.  The related will apply to all anti-fouling systems containing cybutryne from 1 January 2023, with respect to issuance of the new International Anti-fouling System Certificate (IAFSC) were adopted.

–The Committee agreed to commence further work on underwater noise form ships, with respect to review of the 2014 Guidelines for the reduction of underwater noise from commercial shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life (MEPC.1/Circ.833).

-Approvals/adoptions of other amendments related to Air pollution and energy efficiency.

Source: www.imo.org

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