MEPC 74: LR publishes summary report of meeting

Classification society Lloyd’s Register on Saturday (18 May) published a Summary Report for the 74th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 74) meeting which ended on Friday.

According to the report, key developments of MPEC 74 include:  

• EEDI – amendments for ice-strengthened ships were adopted. Strengthening of Phase 3 for certain ship types by increasing the reduction rate and/or bringing forward the start date. Mandatory reporting of values agreed.
• BWM Convention – implementation of the experience-building phase, including data gathering and analysis. Mandatory commissioning testing agreed. Application and exemptions reviewed.
• SOx and fuel – measures taken to address non-availability of compliant fuel oil. Work to consider the effects of exhaust gas cleaning system washwater was agreed for PPR 7 to perform. Bunker supplier licensing schemes were considered but simply noted as a best practice option for individual states to apply.
• GHG emission reductions – a procedure for assessing impact on states was agreed. Terms of reference for the 4th IMO GHG study were agreed. Concrete proposals for short-term measures including speed reduction were considered but no final decisions were taken. Medium- and long-term measures will be addressed at future sessions. Two further intersessional working groups on GHG will take place before MEPC 75.

Parties interested in obtaining a copy of the report are able to access it from here.

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 21 May, 2019