Connect with us

Port & Regulatory

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

DNV shares a summary of IMO MEPC 82 including negotiation of GHG fuel intensity requirements and adoption of regulations to designate Norwegian Sea and Canadian Arctic as Emission Control Areas.
Admin

Published

2 years ago

on

RESIZED william william on Unsplash

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

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Admin

Published

18 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
Admin

Published

18 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
Admin

Published

18 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending