The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) meets for its 65th session
from 13 to 17 May 2013, at IMO Headquarters in London.Items on the busy agenda include the implementation of
energy-efficiency regulations and the ballast water management and
ship-recycling treaties.Further guidelines on energy-efficiency measures for ships to be consideredThe MEPC is expected to continue its work on further developing
technical and operational measures relating to energy-efficiency
measures for ships, following the entry into force, on January 2013, of
the new chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI, which includes requirements
mandating the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), for new ships, and
the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), for all ships.The Committee will review draft guidance developed by a correspondence group, including:• draft guidelines for determining minimum propulsion power to maintain the manoeuvrability of ships in adverse conditions;• draft guidance on treatment of innovative energy-efficiency
technologies for calculation and verification of the attained EEDI; and• draft guidelines for the calculation of the coefficient fw for decrease in ship speed in a representative sea condition.Resolution on technical cooperation for energy efficiency measures to be discussedThe MEPC is expected to further consider the draft MEPC Resolution on “Promotion of Technical Co-operation and Transfer of Technology
relating to the Improvement of Energy Efficiency of Ships”, with a view
to its adoption.Update of GHG emissions estimate expected to get go-aheadThe MEPC is expected to agree on the development of study for an
updated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions’ estimate for international
shipping, following discussion in an expert workshop, which met earlier
this year, on the methodology and assumptions to be used.The new study would focus on updating key figures in the current
(second) IMO GHG Study (2009), which estimated that international
shipping emitted 870 million tonnes, or about 2.7%, of the global
man-made emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) in 2007.The MEPC is also expected to consider the methodology and criteria
for a comprehensive impact assessment of proposed market-based measures
to reduce GHG emissions, which would complement the technical and
operational measures already adopted.Draft NOx Technical Code amendments to be consideredThe MEPC is expected to consider, for approval with a view to
subsequent adoption, draft amendments to the NOx Technical Code, 2008,
concerning use of dual-fuel engines.Guidelines for implementation of MARPOL Annex VI regulation 13 (nitrogen oxides) to be consideredThe MEPC will consider draft 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; and a draft unified
interpretation on the “time of the replacement or addition” of an engine for the applicable NOx Tier standard for the supplement to the IAPP
Certificate.The final report of the Correspondence Group on the Review of the
Status of the Technological Developments to Implement the Tier III NOx
Emissions Standard will be considered by the Committee.Ballast water management systems up for approvalThe MEPC will consider the reports of the twenty-fourth and
twenty-fifth meetings of the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific
Aspects of Marine Environment Protection (GESAMP) Ballast Water Working
Group (held during 2012-2013), with a view to granting Basic Approval to three, and Final Approval to four, ballast water management systems
that make use of Active Substances.The MEPC will consider the text of a draft IMO Assembly resolution on the application of regulation B-3 of the BWM Convention to ease and
facilitate the smooth implementation of the Convention, for submission
to the IMO Assembly 28th session (25 November to 5 December 2013).The MEPC will also be invited to approve BWM-related guidance, among
which is the Guidance concerning ballast water sampling and analysis for trial use.The MEPC is also expected to adopt a draft revised MEPC resolution
regarding information reporting on type-approved ballast water
management systems.MARPOL amendments to make RO Code mandatory to be adoptedThe MEPC is expected to adopt draft amendments to MARPOL Annexes I
and II to make mandatory the Code for Recognized Organizations (ROs).
The Code will provide a consolidated text containing criteria against
which ROs (which may be authorized by flag States to carry out surveys
and issue certificates on their behalf) are assessed and
authorized/recognized, and give guidance for subsequent monitoring of
ROs by Administrations.Also up for adoption are draft amendments to Form A and Form B of
Supplements to the IOPP Certificate; and amendments to the Condition
Assessment Scheme, to make reference to the International Code on the
enhanced programme of inspections during surveys of bulk carriers and
oil tankers, 2011 (2011 ESP Code).Recycling of ships – hazardous materials inventory to be reviewedThe MEPC is expected to further discuss the development of threshold
values and exemptions applicable to the materials to be listed in
inventories of hazardous materials taking into account the outcome of a
correspondence group, and to consider the need to amend, accordingly,
the 2011 Guidelines for the development of the inventory of hazardous
materials, required under the treaty.Guidance on evaluating biofouling guidelines to be approvedThe MEPC is expected to approve a draft MEPC circular on Guidance for evaluating the 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species.
IMO&EU NEWS
13 May 2013 - 22:38
Energy-Efficiency Regulations Main Topic at IMO Marine Environment Committee Meeting
MEPC of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meets for its 65th session from 13 to 17 May 2013, at IMO Headquarters in London.
IMO&EU NEWS
13 May 2013 - 22:38
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