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
Feedbacks on 2020 global sulphur cap and action plan for GHG reduction made by IMO members.
Partnership announced by the port on 24 May allows BP to re-enter the New Zealand VLSFO market and once again deliver VLSFO to its customers.
Currently, Zhoushan city has 17 registered bonded bunker fuel supply enterprises and 72 ships that are approved to engage in bunkering bonded marine fuel.
Shipowner continued contract with engineering firm after initial retrofit project of two hybrid scrubbers.
Encourages proposal to be brought up at upcoming MEPC 74 meeting in IMO headquarters between 13 to 17 May.
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Digitalisation makes it easier for shipowners to conform to growing external regulations such as new sulphur regulations and ‘no scrubber’ zones; operators can identify better bunkering options to reduce costs.
Eventual adoption of Digital Bunker Document Standard speeds up interoperability between stakeholders from both public and private sectors, learns Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.
Rob Ashton, Market Manager of Infineum, explains how Infineum B402 is a relatively easy way for a ship operator to positively influence a vessel’s CII rating while improving its bunker fuel consumption performance.
Fifteen incidents of misappropriation of Shell gasoil worth USD 10,4 million went undetected by Shell between 2016 to 2017 due to Muhammad Ali Bin Muhammad Nor’s involvement, learned Manifold Times.
ISO delegates represented seven countries and were in Singapore to attend a three-day meeting of ISO WG13 to develop two new ISO bunkering standards, learns Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.
