The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 73) begun a busy session on Monday after the opening address by Secretary-General Kitack Lim.
Hideaki Saito chaired the session by moving ahead work to deliver the IMO initial strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, leading the committee to approve a programme of follow-up actions. A working group on GHG reduction will continue discussions, including the scope of the fourth IMO GHG study.
On Monday, the committee will also address the implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit when the limit for sulphur in fuel oil used on board ships operating outside designated emission control areas will be reduced to 0.50% m/m (mass by mass) from 1 January 2020.
“MEPC 73 is expected to approve ship implementation planning guidance as well as best practice guides for Member States/coastal States and for fuel oil suppliers,” it says.
“The committee is also expected to adopt an amendment to prohibit the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil (except when ships are fitted with measures such as exhaust gas cleaning systems or scrubbers).”
The issue of marine plastic litter will also be discussed. The committee is expected to develop and agree an action plan to address the issue of marine plastic litter from shipping, in the context of 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) on the oceans.
A number of proposals have been put forward for consideration, covering issues such as a proposed study on the state of marine plastic litter; looking into the availability and adequacy of port reception facilities; looking at marking and retrieval of fishing gear; reporting the loss of fishing gear and containers; facilitating the delivery of retrieved fishing gear or passively-fished waste to shore facilities; reviewing training; raising awareness; and strengthening international cooperation.
Related: IMO MEPC 73rd session to start (22-26 October)
Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 23 October, 2018
The Standard Club offers tips on various cleaning methods and advises members to start preparations.
To create awareness amongst shippers in Ghana for implementation of IMO 2020 sulphur cap regulations.
‘Unfortunate at a time when the shipping industry is working hard to reduce sulphur emissions,’ says Director.
Asia Pacific experts share views on what IMO 2020 means for the downstream, upstream, LNG and bulks sectors.
Compliance challenges for owners and charterers, and issues IMO faces in enforcing Regulation 14.1.3.
Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) meets this week from 18 to 22 February.
Cash of SGD 4.43 million and USD 243,100, and one piece of 100-gram gold-coloured bar recovered in safe belonging to Abdul Latif Bin Ibrahim kept at Extra Space warehouse storage facility, show court documents.
Program introduces periodic assessments, mass flow metering data analysis, and regular training for relevant key personnel to better handle the MFMS to ensure a high level of continuous operational competency.
U.S. Claims Register Summary recorded a total USD 833 million claim from a total 180 creditors against O.W. Bunker USA, according to the creditor list seen by Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.
Glencore purchased fuel through Straits Pinnacle which contracted supply from Unicious Energy. Contaminated HSFO was loaded at Khor Fakkan port and shipped to a FSU in Tanjong Pelepas, Malaysia to be further blended.
Individuals were employees of surveying companies engaged by Shell to inspect the volume of oil loaded onto the vessels which Shell supplied oil to; they allegedly accepted bribes totalling at least USD 213,000.
MPA preliminary investigations revealed that the affected marine fuel was supplied by Glencore Singapore Pte Ltd who later sold part of the same cargo to PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
