DNV on IMO MEPC 82: Negotiations on a new net-zero framework continue

Classification society DNV shared a statutory news article that provides a summary of the 82nd session of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) including negotiation of GHG fuel intensity requirements and Emission Control Areas (ECAs):

The 82nd session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) continued its negotiation of GHG fuel intensity requirements, potentially in combination with a GHG pricing mechanism, as part of a new net-zero framework addressing GHG emissions. Other important decisions include the adoption of regulations to designate the Canadian Arctic and the Norwegian Sea as NOx, SOx and PM ECAs.

Meeting highlights

• Adopted amendments designating the Norwegian Sea and the Canadian Arctic as Emission Control Areas (ECAs)
• Continued development of an IMO net-zero framework in MARPOL Annex VI addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
• Approved amendments to MARPOL Annex VI and the NOx Technical Code to allow for usage of multiple engine operational profiles (MEOP) and for re-certification of engines
• Commenced the review of the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) and Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI)
• Continued the review of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention

Adoption of amendments to mandatory instruments

Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI were adopted introducing the Norwegian Sea and the Canadian Arctic as ECAs for nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM).

The amendments will enter into force on 1 March 2026. For the Canadian Arctic, the requirements take effect as follows:

• The 0.10% fuel sulphur content requirement takes effect from 1 March 2027.
• Tier III NOx requirements will apply to ships constructed (keel-laid) on or after 1 January 2025, although the requirements will enter into force on 1 March 2026.

For the Norwegian Sea, the requirements take effect as follows:

• The 0.10% fuel sulphur content requirement takes effect from 1 March 2027.
• Tier III NOx requirements will apply to ships contracted on or after 1 March 2026; or in the absence of a contract, keel-laid on or after 1 September 2026; or delivered on or after 1 March 2030.

As a consequence of introducing contract and delivery dates as application dates for the Norwegian Sea ECA, the format of the supplement to the IAPP certificate was updated to include contract and delivery dates in addition to the keel-laid date.

Reduction of GHG emissions

Mid-term measures to reduce GHG emissions

To ensure shipping achieves the ambitions of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, MEPC 80 in 2023 decided to implement a basket of measures consisting of two parts:

• A technical element, which will be a goal-based marine fuel standard regulating the phased reduction of marine fuel GHG intensity
• An economic element, which will be GHG emissions pricing mechanism, linked directly to the GHG intensity mechanism or as a stand-alone mechanism

The measures are scheduled to be adopted in 2025 and enter into force around mid-2027.

At MEPC 82, the IMO net-zero framework agreed at MEPC 81 was further developed to include consolidated legal text as the basis for future work. The text captures different design options proposed for both the technical and economic elements. While there was no agreement on this package of measures, there was further convergence between member states. 

A GHG fund was discussed along including distribution of potential revenues from an economic element, but with limited alignment.

The comprehensive impact assessment of the basket of candidate GHG reduction mid-term measures was completed, but due to concerns raised it was agreed to carry out additional work before MEPC 83, assessing the potential impact GHG regulations may have on food security.

As significant work remains before the envisaged adoption of the basket of measures, it was agreed that intersessional work is needed prior to MEPC 83.

Note: The full statutory news can be found here. 

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 7 October, 2024