The 80th session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 79) was held from 03 to 07 July, 2023. The key subjects are the following:

Tackling climate change – 2023 IMO GHG Strategy adopted

-Life cycle GHG assessment guidelines adopted

-Interim guidance on the use of biofuels

-Next steps – intersessional working group

-Onboard CO2 capture

Energy efficiency of ships – draft amendments to IMO ship fuel oil consumption Data Collection System (DCS) approved

–Draft amendments to the Data Collection System (DCS) approved

-Approved draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI regarding the revision of the IMO ship fuel oil consumption Data Collection System (DCS)

-Review of the short-term measure (CII and EEXI) and  approved the review plan of the CII regulations and guidelines, which must be completed at the latest by 1 January 2026.

Ballast water management – including approval of the Convention Review Plan and adoption of amendments to the BWM Convention

-Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention Review Plan

-BWM Convention amendments

-Implementing the BWM Convention and various MEPC resolutions are adopted

Biofouling management – revised Guidelines adopted

Designation of a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area in the in the North-Western Mediterranean to protect cetaceans

Underwater noise – revised guidelines adopted

– Approved the dissemination of an MEPC circular on Guidelines for underwater radiated noise reduction in Inuit Nunaat and the Arctic, developed by the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC)

Tackling marine litter – work on plastic pellets carriage / lost containers

-Development of recommendations for the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers

-Mandatory reporting of lost containers – draft MARPOL amendments set for approval

-Capacity building to address marine plastic litter from ships

Ship-to-ship transfer – proposed Assembly resolution

–Agreed to forward the draft Assembly resolution to raise awareness submission on the potential environmental risks and the consequences and concerns for the global marine pollution prevention and liability and compensation regimes relating to the increase in ship-to-ship transfers at sea

Special areas –effective date for the the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden special areas under MARPOL Annexes I and V

–Agreed the effective date of 1 January 2025, for the the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden special areas under MARPOL Annexes I and V, based on information provided related to the status of available necessary reception facilities for MARPOL

Other matters from the PPR Sub-Committee

-Inventory of Hazardous Materials – revision of guidelines

-Operational Guide on the Response to Spills of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS)

-Guidelines for thermal waste treatment devices

-Marine diesel engine replacing a steam system – draft MARPOL Annex VI amendments

-Electronic bunker delivery note – Unified interpretation to regulations 18.5 and 18.6 of MARPOL Annex VI

-Reduction of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions – proposed output

Source: www.imo.org

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