MEPC To Amend MARPOL Regulations

In late March the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) met to discuss a number of issues and established items to be amended by May 1, 2011.

More Work For GHG progress, IMO Committee Concludes:

MEPC has concluded more work must be done before the completion of the proposed mandatory application of technical and operational measures to regulate and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping.

Meeting at the Organization’s London headquarters, the Committee’s 60th session agreed to establish an intersessional Working Group to build on the significant progress already made to increase the energy efficiency of ships. The Working Group will report back to the Committee’s next session (MEPC 61), in September 2010.

Although, the group was able to prepare a draft text on mandatory requirements for the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new vessels and on the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships in operation. Additionally, among other things, issues concerning ship size, target dates and reduction rate in relation to the EEDI requirements all required finalization. Regarding market-based measurements, the MEPC will establish an "Expert Group" to undertake a feasibility study and impact assessment of the various proposals.

Amendments to the MARPOL Convention

The Committee also adopted amendments to the MARPOL Convention, which will establish a 'North American Emission Control Area,' in which emissions of sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter from ships will be subject to more stringent controls than the limits that apply globally. Another new MARPOL regulation to protect the Antarctic from pollution by heavy grade oils was also adopted. These amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 August 2011.

Implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention

MEPC addressed issues relating to the implementation of the 'International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004.' And, it adopted a resolution to encourage the installation of ballast water management systems on new ships in accordance with the application dates contained in the Convention.

The resolution also urges countries that have not already done so to ratify the Convention. To date, it has been ratified by 22 countries representing 22.65 percent of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping. MRPC granted “basic approval” to eight ballast water management systems that make use of active substances and “final approval” to four such systems.

Recycling of Ships

The Committee wiil continue its work on developing Guidelines for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling and will develop guidelines for ship recycling. These guidelines wiil include the authorization of ship recycling facilities, ship inspection, and for the survey and certification of these ships.

Once adopted, the guidelines will assist ship-recycling facilities and ship operators to begin introducing voluntary improvements to meet the requirements of the 'Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships,' which was adopted in May 2009. The committee also agreed to develop guidance concerning the recycling of flag-less and non-Party ships by Parties to the Convention in the future.

Garbage Special Areas

MEPC agreed to establish May 1, 2011 as the date to enforce garbage discharge requirements for the Wider Caribbean Region Special Area under MARPOL Annex V Regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships.

This Special Area, which includes the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, was designated as a Special Area under MARPOL Annex V in July 1991. Most of the countries in the region have given notice that they now have adequate facilities in the relevant ports to handle the problem.

In Annex V, Special Areas, garbage disposal into the sea, including plastics, is prohibited. Other special areas under Annex V are: the Baltic Sea (effective since October 1989); the North Sea (February 1991); the Antarctic area (south of latitude 60 degrees south) (March 1992); the "Gulfs" area (August 2008); the Mediterranean Sea (May 2009); the Black Sea (not yet effective); and the Red Sea (not yet effective).

MARPOL Annex III Revision

MEPC approved proposed amendments to replace the text of MARPOL Annex III Regulations for the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form. The amended text is aimed at bringing the Annex up to date with the mandatory 'International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code,' specifying that goods should be shipped in accordance with relevant provisions.

Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos focused on the progress made in dealing with GHG emissions from ships and the challenges that still remain.

He said, “Global issues demand global solutions. Let the world learn from the lessons of Copenhagen so that the same mistakes are not repeated in Cancun. At the same time, let us build on the undeniable successes Copenhagen has scored, by providing a forum for Heads of State and Government to listen to and understand each other’s problems, concerns, worries and sensitivities and, thus, pave the way for a more successful next round of consultations.” He added, "the shipping worldshould proceed not in a fragmented manner, but as responsible members of a community that has a role to play in this effort.”