The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee held its 81th session from 18 to 22 March 2024.The key subjects are the following:

Tackling climate change – cutting GHG emissions from ships 

-Agreed on an illustration of a possible draft outline of an “IMO net-zero framework” for cutting greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from international shipping. These may include a proposed new Chapter 5 of MARPOL Annex VI containing regulations on the IMO net-zero framework, to include:

-A goal-based marine fuel standard regulating the phased reduction of the marine fuel’s GHG intensity; and

-An economic mechanism(s) to incentivize the transition to net-zero.   

In addition to progress on the legal framework, MEPC agreed on the following next steps, ahead of its next meeting (MEPC 82), scheduled for 30 September to 4 October 2024:

-Comprehensive impact assessment on the impact of the proposed mid-term GHG reduction measures on Member States to be finalized and submitted to MEPC 82;

-A two-day expert workshop (Fifth GHG Expert Workshop – GHG-EW 5) to be held to discuss the preliminary findings of the comprehensive impact assessment, covering all aspects, including the modelling of revenue disbursement. The outcome will be reported to MEPC 82;

-The Seventeenth Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse Gas Emissions (ISWG-GHG 17) to meet to consider the outcomes of the comprehensive impact assessment, the GHG-EW5, and other submitted documents for further discussions around the development of mid-term GHG reduction measures, and report to MEPC 82; and

-ISWG-GHG 17 to develop draft terms of reference for a Fifth IMO GHG Study and consider the further development of the LCA framework.

-MEPC adopted revised Guidelines on life cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels-LCA Guidelines. The updated guidelines include revised calculations for default emission factors; updated appendix 4 on template for well-to-tank default emission factor submission; and new appendix 5 template for Tank-to-Wake (TtW) emission factors.

-MEPC approved terms of reference for the GESAMP Working Group on Life Cycle GHG Intensity of Marine Fuels (GESAMP-LCA WG). The ISWG-GHG 17 will further consider the development of the Life Cycle GHG Assessment (LCA) framework.

-Two correspondence groups have been established which will report to MEPC 83: the first group is tasked to develop a work plan on the development of a regulatory framework for the use of onboard carbon capture systems and to look into Tank-to-Wake methane and nitrous oxide emissions; the second group will look into social and economic sustainability themes and aspects of marine fuels for possible inclusion in the LCA Guidelines.

–MEPC instructed a correspondence group to further consider issues related to onboard carbon and develop a work plan on the development of a regulatory framework for the use of onboard carbon capture systems with the exception of matters related to accounting of CO2 captured on board ships, and report to MEPC 83.

Energy Efficiency   

-Approved the report on the fuel oil consumption data submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database 

-Adopted updated 2024 Guidelines for the development of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP).

-Adopted updated 2024 Guidelines for Administration verification of ship fuel oil consumption data and operational carbon intensity.

-Adopted updated 2024 Guidelines on the shaft/engine power limitation system to comply with the EEXI requirements and use of a power reserve.

-Approved the Procedure for reporting to the Organization of uses of a power reserve.

-Approved unified interpretations to regulations 2.2.15 and 2.2.18 of MARPOL Annex VI for dissemination in the amended consolidated Unified interpretations to MARPOL Annex VI as MEPC.1/Circ.795/Rev.9

-Approved the draft MSC-MEPC circular on Guidelines for the sampling of fuel oil for determination of compliance with MARPOL Annex VI and SOLAS chapter II-2, subject to concurrent approval by the Maritime Safety Committee; and referred the draft circular, as amended, to MSC 108 (15 to 24 May 2024), for consideration as an urgent matter, with a view to approval.  

-Endorsed the updated work plan, developed by the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC), for the development of guidelines concerning new alternative fuels, including the development of guidelines for hydrogen and ammonia as fuels, low flash-point fuels and mandatory instruments for methyl/ethyl alcohols.

Tackling marine litter –reporting procedures for lost containers / carriage of plastic pellets by sea 

-MEPC adopted amendments to MARPOL Protocol I, referencing a procedure for reporting lost freight containers

-Related draft SOLAS chapter V amendments are set to be adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 108), in May 2024, and will require the master of every ship involved in the loss of freight container(s) to communicate the particulars of such an incident to ships in the vicinity, to the nearest coastal State and to the flag State.

Recommendations for the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers 

MEPC approved Recommendations for the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers, agreed by the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 11) regarding address packaging, transport information, and stowage of plastic pellets

Ballast water management – implementation and Convention review  

-MEPC endorsed the list of the Convention’s provisions and associated instruments for revision and/or development, to guide the further work of the Correspondence Group on Review of the BWM Convention, which was re-established with the task of preparing draft text for amendments and for new provisions and/or instruments.

-Adopted an MEPC resolution on Interim guidance on the application of the BWM Convention to ships operating in challenging water quality conditions

-Approved Guidance for the temporary storage of treated sewage and/or grey water in ballast water tanks and

-Invited interested Member States and international organizations to work intersessionally with the broadest possible participation and submit further concrete proposals to the next session with a view to finalization of guidance on modifications to ballast water management systems with existing type approval.

-Adopted amendments to regulations A-1 and B-2 of the BWM Convention concerning the use of electronic record books. The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 October 2025.

Proposals for Emission Control Areas approved  

-MEPC approved two proposals for the designation of Emission Control Areas (ECAs): 1.Proposed ECA in Canadian Arctic Waters, for Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Oxides and Particulate Matter and  2.Proposed ECA in the Norwegian Sea for Nitrogen Oxide and Sulphur Oxides which includes a “three dates criterion” consisting of building contract, keel laid and delivery date as part of the keel-laying date requirement in the proposed amendment to MARPOL Annex VI.

Implementation of the Hong Kong Convention   

-MEPC approved reporting formats and the future development of a GISIS module, to provide electronic reporting facilities, to assist with implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (Hong Kong Convention)

-MEPC discussed a potential overlap in requirements between the Hong Kong Convention and the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.

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

-MEPC adopted amendments to regulation 13.2.2 of MARPOL Annex VI on a marine diesel engine replacing a steam system.

-MEPC adopted 2024 Guidelines as required by regulation 13.2.2 of MARPOL Annex VI in respect of non-identical replacement engines not required to meet the Tier III limit.

Underwater noise reduction   

-MEPC endorsed a draft Action plan for the reduction of underwater noise from commercial shipping and included a new item on “Reduction of underwater radiated noise from commercial shipping” on its agenda for MEPC 82

Source: www.imo.org

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