The 78th session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 78) was held from 06 to 10 June, 2022. The key subjects are the following:

-MEPC noted the progress made by the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 12) and the further development of a ‘basket of candidate mid-term measures’ – integrating various technical elements and carbon pricing elements

-Additional guidelines and other draft guidelines adopted to support short-term measure. The guidelines include those relating to method of calculation of the EEXI, the revised SEEMP and possible correction factors for CII. MEPC approved draft amendments to appendix IX of MARPOL Annex VI on the reporting of EEXI and CII values to the IMO Data Collection System (DCS). MEPC noted the discussion in the ISWG -GHG 11 on the progress made in the development of draft guidelines on lifecycle GHG/carbon intensity for marine fuels (LCA guidelines) and established a correspondence group on marine fuel lifecycle GHG analysis to further the work.        

-MEPC agreed to designate the entire Mediterranean Sea as an emission control area. From 2025 ships should comply with more stringent controls on sulphur oxide emissions. MEPC approved proposed amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, with a view to adoption at MEPC 79, which will designate the Mediterranean Sea, as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides (SOx-ECA) and particulate matter

-MEPC agreed to develop a BWM Convention Review Plan (CRP) and established a Correspondence Group on Review of the BWM Convention to finalize the CRP. The MEPC also approved revised Guidance on methodologies that may be used for enumerating viable organisms for type approval of ballast water management systems (BWM.2/Circ.61/Rev.1), and guidelines for re-evaluations in cases where modifications have been made to a ballast water management system

-IMO’s Sub-Committee on Prevention of Pollution (PPR) considered issues related to discharge from exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS). The MEPC approved related circulars such as: MEPC Circular on 2022 Guidelines for risk and impact assessments of the discharge water from exhaust gas cleaning systems) and MEPC Circular on 2022 Guidance regarding the delivery of EGCS residues to port reception facilities. Additional, MEPC approved draft amendments to appendix V of MARPOL Annex VI regarding flashpoint of fuel oil or a statement that the flashpoint has been measured at or above 70ºC as mandatory information in the bunker delivery note (BDN)   

-MEPC approved draft amendments to MARPOL Annex V to make the Garbage Record Book mandatory also for ships of 100 gross  tonnage and above and less than 400 gross tonnage, with a view to subsequent adoption

-MEPC noted the ongoing work in the PPR Sub-Committee on marking of fishing gear, which has been identified as a key action in order to reduce marine plastic litter from lost, abandoned and otherwise discarded fishing gear. MEPC instructed the Sub‑Committee to develop draft amendments to MARPOL Annex V and associated guidelines to make the marking of fishing gear mandatory, using a goal-based approach.

-MEPC Adopted amendments related to watertight doors and GESAMP Hazard Evaluation Procedure

-MEPC approved, for subsequent adoption, draft amendments to the MARPOL annexes to allow States with ports in the Arctic region to enter into regional arrangements for port reception facilities. Related draft amendments to the 2012 Guidelines for the development of a regional reception facility plan (resolution MEPC.221(63)) were also agreed.

-MEPC adopted revised guidelines to support implementation of the AFS Convention, following the adoption of amendments (2021) to include controls on the biocide cybutryne. The amendments enter into force on 1 January 2023.

-MEPC approved unified interpretations of provisions of IMO environment-related conventions such as: Appendix I to the BWM Convention (Form of International Ballast Water Management Certificate), Regulation 18.3 MARPOL Annex VI to biofuels and Paragraph 4.4.6.1 of the NOx Technical Code 2008

Source: www.imo.org

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