IMO SUB-COMMITTEE ON POLLUTION PREVENTION AND RESPONSE 17 – 21 FEBRUARY 2020

The IMO Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response held its 7^th session (PPR 7) from 17 – 21 February 2020 under the Chairmanship of Dr Flavio Fernandes (BRAZIL) and his Vice Chair, Dr Anita Makinen (FINLAND). Three Working Groups (WG), one Technical Group (TG) and one Drafting Group (DG) were formed and chaired as follows:

 

WG1	Evaluation of safety and pollution hazards of chemicals, Ms J Contreras (NETHERLANDS)
WG2	Prevention of air pollution from ships, Mr W Lundy (USA)
WG3	Heavy Fuel Oil in Arctic Waters and Review of the IBTS Guidelines, Mr C Goh (SINGAPORE)
TG1   DG1	Amendments to the AFS Convention, Dr S Bailey (CANADA)   MARPOL Annexes IV and V, Ms A Sly (AUSTRALIA)

 

The meeting was attended by representatives from 81 Member Governments, 1 Associate Member of IMO, 4 Intergovernmental Organisations and 40 (as was the case for PPR 6) Non-Governmental Organisations.

 

Items of particular interest to InterManager Members are as follows:

 

WELCOMING ADDRESS.  The Secretary General of IMO, Mr Kitack Lim welcomed delegates to the seventh session of the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response.  He spoke of this year’s World Maritime Day [WMD] theme on “Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet”, one which is intended to raise awareness of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the SDGs.  The transition towards a sustainable future has already started with development of measures such as the reduction of greenhouse emissions, the lower sulphur content of ships’ fuel oil, the protection of the polar regions and the wider participation of women in the maritime community.  WMD will be celebrated at IMO Headquarters on 24 September and a parallel event in Durban, South Africa from 28 to 30 October.

Reflecting that we are now into the second month of 2020, indications are that the implantation of the 0.50% sulphur limit has been relatively smooth but that the next important target date is fast approaching when carrying non-compliant fuel oil on board ships becomes prohibited on 1 March 2020.

Turning to the agenda for PPR 7, he mentioned some of the key technical issues to be considered, in particular:

• Finalisation of the draft guidelines for the verification of the sulphur content of the fuel oil carried for use on board;
• Completion of work on the revision of the 2015 Guidelines for exhaust gas cleaning systems;
• Evaluation and harmonisation of rules and guidance on the discharge of liquid effluents from EGCS into waters, including conditions and areas;
• Development of measures to reduce the risks of use and carriage of HFO as fuel by ships in Arctic waters, and the reduction of the impact on the Arctic of Black Carbon emissions from international shipping; and,
• With regard to marine biosafety, he highlighted the proposed amendment to Anex 1 to the AFS Convention to include controls on cybutryne, commissioning testing of ballast water systems, and, initiation of a review of the Biofouling Guidelines.

Rounding off his welcome, Mr Lim expressed confidence for a successful week and in closing his speech, invited Dr Bhatt, the Organisation’s Medical Adviser, to share his medical expertise on the Novel Coronavirus.

 

SAFETY AND POLLUTION HAZARDS OF CHEMICALS AND PREPARATION OF CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO THE IBC CODE.  The Sub-Committee considered the report of ESPH 25 (Evaluation of Safety and Pollution Hazards of Chemicals), most notably:

 

• The outcome of the discussions on the working group GESAMP/EHS 56 (Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection);
• Replacement of existing Certificates of Fitness following the entry into force of the revised IBC Code;
• Evaluation of products and cleaning additives;
• Renamed entries for drilling brines in the revised chapter 17 of the IBC Code;
• Complex mixtures submitted for assessment as a MARPOL Annex II product;
• Draft amendments to the “Decisions with regard to the categorisation and classification of products” and modifications to annex 5 of the MEPC.2/Circular;
• Review of products in Lists 2 and 3 of the MEPC.2/Circular;
• Implementation of products in List 1 of the MEPC.2/Circular;
• Revised carriage requirements for Methyl acrylate and Methyl methacrylate; and,
• The draft IP Code (Carriage of Industrial Personnel).

 

Following lengthy discussion in plenary, terms of reference were drawn up and issued to the ESPH Working Group (WG1) with instructions also to take account of comments and decisions made in plenary.  In consideration of WG1’s subsequent report, the Sub-Committee approved it in general, and in particular:

 

1. Concurred with the evaluation of products and their inclusion in List 3 of the MEPC.2/Circular;
2. Agreed to request GESAMP to provide advice on how to best assess mixtures against the criteria for the new MARPOL Annex II discharge requirements;
3. Concurred with the evaluation of cleaning additives;
4. Noted that 16 tripartite agreements will expire in December 2020 and hence deleted from the MEPC.2/Circular, advising Member Governments to advise their industry counterparts to take action accordingly;
5. Endorsed the Group’s recommended way forward with regard to the shipment of reassessed products in chapters 17 and 18 of the IBC Code in List 1 of the MEPC.2/Circular;
6. Noted the Group’s progress in preparing draft amendments to the ‘Decisions with regard to the categorisation and classification of products’;
7. Agreed to the draft PPR.1/Circular with revised carriage requirements for “Methyl acrylate” and “Methyl methacrylate” for subsequent endorsement by MEPC 75 and MSC 102, also  that chapter 17 of the IBC Code should be amended to reflect the revision;
8. Agreed the draft PPR circular on the review of products in Lists 2 and 3 of the MEPC.2/Circular for endorsement by MEPC 76;
9. Noted the Group’s discussion on the revision of MEPC.1/Circ.590 and the proposed arrangements for the evaluation of cleaning additives;
10. Endorsed the Group’s view that the existing entries for the paraffin-like products as listed

in paragraph 5 of MEPC.1/Circ.886 could be retained in the ships Certificate of Fitness (CoF) even if the renamed and reassessed products are listed in the addendum to the ship’s Certificate;

11. Approved the proposed provisional agenda for ESPH 26; and,
12. Agreed to request MEPC 75 to approve the scheduling of an intersessional meeting of the ESPH Technical Group in the latter part of 2021.

 

THE TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP.  Following discussion in plenary on a number of items, the Technical Group was tasked, and divided its efforts such that one half worked on Amendments to Annex 1 of the AFS Convention, whilst the other half reviewed the 2011 Guidelines for control and management of ships’ biofouling, revised guidance on ballast water sampling plus analysis, and methodologies for enumerating viable organisms, also BMW matters.

 

With respect to the Technical Group’s report on the draft amendment to Annex 1 of the AFS Convention, the Sub-Committee approved it in general, and in particular:

 

1. Agreed to the draft amendment to Annex 1 (Controls on anti-fouling systems) to the AFS Convention to include controls on cybutryne, for consideration by MEPC 75;
2. Agreed to the draft operative paragraphs with regard to issuance of the new International Anti-fouling System Certificate (IAFSC);
3. Agreed to the draft amendments to Annex 4 (Surveys and certification requirements for anti-fouling systems) to the AFS Convention, including the model form of the Certificate;
4. Invited the Committee to encourage Member States to conduct baseline studies prior to the entry into force of controls on cybutrine, in order to determine their effectiveness;
5. In light of these controls under the AFS Convention, invited the Committee to request governing bodies of the London Convention and Protocol to consider revising the guidance on best management practices for removal of anti-fouling coatings from ships, including TBT hull paints;
6. Invited the Committee to note the need to consider an update to the list of items to be listed in the inventory of Hazardous Materials under the Hong Kong convention to include cybutryne when the respective controls enter into force;
7. To circulate the report to the Parties, Members of the Organisation, the United Nations and its Specialised Agencies, intergovernmental organisations and NGOs, prior to its consideration by the Committee;
8. Recommended to the Committee that the target completion year of the output on cybutrine controls be extended to 2022;
9. Invited proposals to PPR 8 on amendments to the Guidelines for brief sampling, survey and certification, and inspection of anti-fouling systems on ships; and,
10. Invited interested delegations to submit proposals to PPR 8 on the establishment of a correspondence group on the revision of the guidelines associated with the AFS Convention.

 

Following the work carried out by the other half of the Technical Group, a report was duly produced which the Sub-Committee approved in general, and in particular:

 

1. Agreed to the identified key elements of the Biofouling Guidelines that require further attention and discussion, also, corresponding areas for potential revision of the Guidelines;
2. Established a correspondence group on the review of the Biofouling Guidelines;
3. Encouraged participation and contributions to the work of the CG, including the provision of information on best practices;
4. Agreed draft text for the revision of the ‘Guidance on ballast water sampling and analysis for trial use in accordance with the BWM Convention and Guidelines (G2)’, for submission to MEPC 76;
5. Invited the Committee to note that the work on output 1.14 (Revised guidance on ballast water sampling and analysis) has been completed;
6. Agreed to the draft text for the revision of the ‘Guidance on methodologies that may be used for enumerating viable organisms for type approval of BWM systems’, keeping this text in abeyance for consolidation at PPR 8, with a view to approval at MEPC 77 and  dissemination as BWM.2/Circ.61/Rev.1;
7. Invited the Committee to instruct the III Sub-Committee, in the context of the next revision of the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification (HSSC), to amend the paragraphs of the HSSC relating to BWMS commissioning testing to ensure that they do not contain references to compliance with regulation D-2;
8. Agreed to the draft text for the revision of the ‘Guidance for the commissioning testing of BWM systems’ for submission to MEPC 75 for approval and dissemination as BWM.2/Circ.70/Rev.1; and,
9. To consider how to progress the work on the development of a standard for verification of BW compliance monitoring systems, taking into account, text provided by the Group in its report to the Sub-Committee.

 

 

REDUCTION OF THE IMPACT ON THE ARCTIC OF BLACK CARBON EMISSIONS FROM INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING.  This item provoked a very lively and somewhat protracted debate in plenary.  By way of background, PPR 6 agreed that it had completed its work under the output “Consideration of the impact on the Arctic of emissions of Black Carbon from international shipping”.  When considering the options for further work on this subject, MEPC 74 noted that the overwhelming majority supported, in principle, the draft terms of reference as set out in paragraph 5 of document MEPC 74/10/8 (Finland et al), which were subsequently referred to PPR 7 for further consideration, with a view to advising the Committee.  Accordingly, six documents were submitted to PPR 7 under this agenda item, four substantive and two information papers.  The first of the submissions was that by Finland and Germany presenting the results of a measurement campaign for the analysis of the impact of fuel quality on Black Carbon Emissions indicating that new blends of marine fuels with 0.50% sulphur content can contain a large percentage of aromatic compounds, which results in increased Black Carbon emissions compared to HFO and distillates.  Further information on BC measurement methods was provided by EUROMOT which confirmed these findings that fuels with a high aromatic content tend to increase BC emissions.  The third (and fourth) document submitted by co-sponsors, FOEI, WWF, Pacific Environment, and CSC, commented on the  resultant effects of blended low sulphur residual fuels developed to meet the 0.50% sulphur limit, and urged the drafting of a legal text requiring that all ships operating in or near the Arctic switch to distillates.  The fourth paper called on all shipowners, charterers, Member States and fuel providers to observe a voluntary prohibition on the use of any marine fuel whose aromatic content is likely to lead to BC emissions greater than those commonly associated with distillate fuels.

Following this, the Sub-Committee was informed inter alia by ISO that early analysis of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oils (VLSFOs) supplied to ships in January, when compared with High Sulphur Fuel Oils (FSFOs), illustrated the more paraffinic nature of VLSOs than most of the HSFOs; therefore, the ignition/combustion performance of VLSFOs was expected to be improved and that, as a result, BC emissions would be lower.  ISO is already in the process of monitoring VLSFO/HSFO properties and will provide feedback on their performance.

As time allocated to this subject was adjudged very limited, and in order to expedite the work on the measurement measures and protocol, a Correspondence Group was established and instructed to further consider the recommended BC measurement methods (FSN, PAS, LII) to be used in conjunction with regulations to control BC emissions from marine diesel engines and also to develop a standardised sampling, conditioning and measurement protocol.

 

 

DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDELINES FOR ONBOARD SAMPLING OF FUEL OIL NOT IN USE BY SHIP.  It was recalled that MEPC 74 noted the recommendation of PPR 6 that, as a consequence of draft amendments to regulation 14.8 of MARPOL Annex VI for introducing onboard sampling of fuel oil not in use by the ship, guidelines to support effective and safe implementation would need to be developed before the entry into force of the new requirements.  Further, following consideration of document MEPC 74/10/2 by IMarEST proposing such Guidelines for verifying the sulphur content of the fuel oil carried for use on board a ship, MEPC 74 forwarded the document to PPR 7 to further consider and prepare the new guidelines.

Following a short discussion in plenary, the Working Group on ‘Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships’ (WG2) was established and instructed to finalise the draft Guidelines for onboard sampling for the verification of the sulphur content of the fuel oil carried for use on board a ship.  Having considered the relevant parts of the report on Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships, the Sub-Committee approved it in general, and in particular:

 

1. Noted the Group’s concerns regarding the current regulatory gap between in use and on board sampling, and the possible use of those samples for checking the ship’s compliance with regulation 14.1 of MARPOL Annex VI in accordance with the procedure set out in appendix 6 to MARPOL Annex VI, and the possible need for procedural guidance to be developed by the Organisation on that issue; and,
2. Agreed to the draft Guidelines for on board sampling of fuel oil intended to be used or carried for use on board a ship, with a view to approval by MEPC 75.

 

REVIEW OF THE 2015 GUIDELINES FOR EXHAUST GAS CLEANING SYSTEMS (RESOLUTION MEPC.259(68)).  PPR 6 considered the report of the CG on Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems, established by PPR 5 and coordinated by Finland, with several issues remaining unresolved.  Because of the heavy workload at PPR 6, it was agreed that all documents under the output on “Review of the 2015 Guidelines for exhaust gas cleaning systems” would be further considered at PPR 7 in conjunction with any additional documents submitted to PPR 7.  Consequently, there were 8 documents and 4 INF papers from PPR 6 together with 2 to PPR 7, including one from InterManager.

Following discussion of all the main documents in plenary, the Sub-Committee instructed WG2 to finalise the draft amendments to the 2015 EGCS Guidelines, based on part 1 of the Correspondence Group established by PPR 5. This was duly carried out and in respect of WG1s  subsequent report on this issue, the Sub-Committee:

 

1. Noted that the Group agreed to extend the scope of MEPC.1/Circ.883 to cover all versions of the EGCS Guidelines, including the 2020 EGCS Guidelines, once adopted; and,
2. Agreed to the draft 2020 EGCS Guidelines, as well as the proposal for a revised MEPC.1/Circ.883/Rev.1, with a view to adoption and approval by MEPC 75 respectively.

 

 

EVALUATION AND HARMONISATION OF RULES AND GUIDANCE ON THE DISCHARGE OF LIQUID EFFLUENTS FROM EGCS INTO WATERS, INCLUDING CONDITIONS AND AREAS.  13 documents were submitted to PPR 7 under this agenda item, in addition to a further 7, referred to the Sub-Committee by MEPC 74. Comments were invited after all documents had been introduced following which all were referred to WG2 to whom terms of reference were stipulated, with instructions to finalise the title and scope of work of the output proposed in document MEPC 74/14/1, taking into account comments and decisions made in plenary.

In considering WG2s subsequent recommendations, the Sub-Committee:

 

1. Agreed to the draft revised scope and title of the output proposed in document MEPC 74/14/1, with a view to approval by MEPC 75, assuming that the Committee will agree to the draft revised scope and title of the output;
2. Should request the Secretariat to explore the possibility of involving GESAMP in the development of different parts of the agreed scope for scientific advice, as appropriate; and,
3. Request the Committee to invite Member Governments and organisations for submissions on the agreed scope of the output to the next session of the Sub-Committee.

 

DEVELOPMENT OF AMENDMENTS TO MARPOL ANNEX VI AND THE NOX TECHNICAL CODE ON THE USE OF MULTIPLE ENGINE OPERATIONAL PROFILES FOR A MARINE DIESEL ENGINE.  Because of time pressures, this item was not introduced, or discussed, in plenary but was sent straight to WG2.  In similar vein, WG2 was also not able to consider any of the documents either but it was agreed to invite the Sub-Committee to defer all relevant documents for a detailed discussion at PPR 8 as was subsequently the case.

 

DEVELOPMENT OF MEASURES TO REDUCE RISKS OF USE AND CARRIAGE OF HEAVY FUEL OIL AS FUEL BY SHIPS IN ARCTIC WATERS.  A total of 13 documents were submitted to PPR 7 under this agenda item, in addition to 7 forwarded from PPR 6.  Given this large number, the Chairman structured the discussion to consider, first, draft Guidelines on mitigation measures to reduce risks of use and carriage of heavy fuel oil as fuel by ships in Arctic waters and second, on the basis of an assessment of the impacts, development of a ban on an appropriate timescale.

Recalling that PPR 6 had established a Correspondence Group on such Guidelines, the coordinator of the CG, the Russian Federation, was invited to present the CG’s report as in document PPR 7/14.  All delegations that spoke, supported further development of the draft Guidelines in order to reduce duplication with existing IMO instruments and to better delineate areas of responsibility between ship operators and maritime Administrations.

Following consideration of the many impact assessments which had been submitted, the Sub-Committee agreed that a prohibition on the use and carriage of HFO as fuel by ships in Arctic waters should include a delayed phase-in period, noting that an amendment to either MARPOL or the Polar Code would be sufficient, and that PPR 6 favoured an amendment to MARPOL.

WG3 was then established, having been tasked with appropriate terms of reference, and in considering its report on this issue, the Sub-Committee:

 

1. Re-established a Correspondence Group to further develop the draft Guidelines on measures to reduce risks of use and carriage of heavy fuel oil by ships in Arctic waters with the proposed terms of reference; and,
2. Agreed to the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex I to incorporate a prohibition on the use and carriage for use as fuel of heavy fuel oil by ships in Arctic waters, for submission to MEPC 76 with a view to approval and subsequent circulation.

 

REVIEW OF THE IBTS GUIDELINES AND AMENDMENTS TO THE IOPP CERTIFICATE AND OIL RECORD BOOK.  The Chairman recalled that PPR 6 had established the Correspondence Group on Review of the IBTS (Integrated bilge water treatment system) Guidelines and Amendments to the IOPP Certificate and Oil Record Book to progress the work intersessionally.  The Coordinator, Intertanko, reported that the CG had made good progress in preparing the draft consolidated IBTS Guidelines and amendments to the IOPP Certificate ORB (Oil Record Book). However, two major issues required further consideration, namely the definition of clean drains and means of monitoring discharge from the clean drains as well as management and record-keeping for forced evaporation, both of which were referred to WG3 for discussion.

The working group was duly instructed to finalise the IBTS Guidelines, prepare draft amendments to the IOPP Certificate and ORB, and prepare draft amendments to the ’Guidance for the recording of operations in the ORB Part I – machinery space operations (all ships)’.  In considering WG3’s subsequent report on this item, the Sub-Committee:

 

1. Agreed the draft 2020 Guidelines for systems handling oily wastes in machinery spaces of ships incorporating guidance notes for an integrated bilge water treatment system (2020 IBTS Guidelines) and the accompanying draft MEPC circular, for submission to MEPC 75, with a view to approval;
2. To seek the advice of the Secretariat on whether the amendments to the IOPP Certificate and the ORB regarding the listing of means of the disposal of oily bilge water are consistent with the requirements of MARPOL Annex I and decide whether to forward them to MEPC 76;
3. Endorsed the view of the Group that, the reference to the amendments to the IOPP Certificate and the ORB regarding the listing of means of the disposal of oily bilge water are consistent with the requirements of MARPOL Annex I, thus the reference to “Oil residue (sludge) incinerator” should be replaced by “Oily wastes incinerator” under the 2020 IBTS Guidelines; and,
4. Agreed the draft revised Guidance for the recording of operations in the ORB Part I – machinery space operations (all ships) (ORB Guidance) and the accompanying draft MEPC circular, for submission to MEPC 76 for approval.

 

REVISION OF MARPOL ANNEX IV AND ASSOCIATED GUIDELINES TO INTRODUCE PROVISIONS FOR RECORD-KEEPING AND MEASURES TO CONFIRM THE LIFETIME PERFORMANCE OF SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS.  It was noted that MEPC 74 had considered a document by Norway proposing to expand the scope of the existing output 1.26 to include a revision of MARPOL Annex IV and associated guidelines, agreeing to amend the title of the output to that seen above.  MEPC 74 also had instructed PPR to seek the input of the III and STW Sub-Committees in relation to issues of port State control and human element, as appropriate, also that in considering the application of the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex IV, to take into account the general principle that ships should not be unduly penalised.

Following discussion of the 9 documents submitted to PPR 7 and 2 from PPR 6, the most notable outcome was that related to ‘grey water treatment’ which the Chairman ruled did not come within the scope of MARPOL Annex IV and the current output and therefore would not be discussed.  However, he advised that interested parties may submit proposals to MEPC to either expand the current output or introduce a new one regarding grey water treatment.

It was agreed to establish a Correspondence Group on Sewage Treatment Plants and the Drafting Group on MARPOL Annexes IV and V was instructed to develop draft terms of reference for the CG, taking into account the documents under this agenda item and the instructions from MEPC 74.  This was duly done, and the TORS for the CG on Amendments to MARPOL Annex IV and associated Guidelines agreed by the Sub-Committee.

 

FOLLOW-UP WORK EMANATING FROM THE ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS MARINE PLASTIC LITTER FROM SHIPS.  MEPC 73 adopted the ‘Action Plan to address marine plastic litter from ships’ following which, MEPC 74 approved the scope of work of the PPR Sub-Committee in relation to marine plastic litter from ships and agreed to add output 4.3 on “Follow-up work emanating from the Action Plan to address marine plastic litter from ships” to the agenda of PPR 7, with 4 sessions assigned to complete the work.

Document PPR 7/17 seeking to modify the mandatory reporting requirement to include any loss or discharge of fishing gear to the Flag State plus a new provision similarly mandating Parties to MARPOL, enjoyed little support.  In the Chairman’s view, a working group would be the appropriate body to consider this matter due to the in-depth technical discussion expected, but it cannot be formed at this session due to logistical constraints.  However, he expressed the intention to establish a Working Group on Marine Plastic Litter from Ships at PPR 8 and further, given general support for a Correspondence Group on Marine Plastic Litter from Ships to be established, DG1 was instructed to develop draft terms of reference for same.

Following further discussion on MEPC circulars relating to marine plastic litter and amendments to the Procedures for PSC on the use of electronic record books, the Sub-Committee instructed the Drafting Group on MARPOL Annexes IV and V to:

 

• Develop terms of reference for a CG on Marine Plastic Litter from Ships;
• Finalise a draft MEPC circular encouraging Member States to provide adequate port reception facilities as required by regulation 8 of MARPOL Annex V;
• Finalise a draft MEPC circular encouraging Member States and international organisations to undertake studies to better understand microplastics from ships and to share the results of any research conducted on marine litter; and,
• Review the draft amendments to the Procedures for PSC on the use of electronic record books that were not included by III 6 in the Procedures for PSC, with a view to advising MEPC 75, as appropriate.

 

Following the work by DG1, the Sub-Committee approved its report in general, and in particular:

 

1. Agreed the terms of reference for the Correspondence Group on Marine Plastic Litter from Ships;
2. Agreed the draft MEPC circular on Provision of adequate facilities at ports and terminals for the reception of plastic waste from ships;
3. Agreed the draft MEPC circular on Sharing of results from research on marine litter and encouraging studies to better understand microplastics from ships;
4. Endorsed the development of interim guidance for surveyors, including a sample form to facilitate the endorsement of a cargo operation in an electronic Cargo Record Book;
5. Invited III 7 to develop the interim guidance and consider whether there is a need to amend the Procedures for PSC in the next revision to incorporate such guidance; and,
6. Invited interested Member States to submit concrete proposals to III 7 for the development of  interim guidance.

 

 

UNIFIED INTERPRETATION TO PROVISIONS OF IMO ENVIRONMENT-RELATED CONVENTIONS.  Following discussion in Plenary, WG2 was instructed to consider the IACS unified interpretations as set out in annexes 1 and 4 to document PPR 7/18.  On completion of WG2s work,

the Sub-Committee agreed to the presented final draft of the UIs in paragraphs 2.2.4.1 and 5.10.1 of the NOx Technical Code 2008, and requested the Secretariat to make the necessary editorial changes to the draft circular before issuance.

 

 

ITEMS RELATING TO AIR POLLUTION MATTERS UNDER ANY OTHER BUSINESS.  The Sub-Committee was advised that five documents would be considered under this agenda item relating to air pollution matters as follows:

 

• MEPC 74/14/4 by Norway as forwarded by MEPC 74, together with the related document PPR 7/2/4 by IMarEST, concerning a proposal for a new output to amend regulation 13.2.2 of MARPOL Annex VI;
• PPR 7/2/5 by IMarEST, concerning further development of the 2019 Guidelines for port State control under MARPOL Annex VI Chapter 3 to include provisions on energy efficiency for ships;
• MEPC 74/17/1 by the Republic of Korea as forwarded by MEPC 74, concerning adjustment of storage period of bunker sample on board for ships navigating on regular routes; and,
• PPR 7/21/6 by IACS, reporting on experience with marine diesel engines equipped with engine/SCR-systems certified under MARPOL Annex VI.

 

Following discussion in plenary, WG2 was instructed to further consider documents MEPC 74/14/4 and PPR 7/2/4 and advise the Sub-Committee on: approval of the proposed new output, also to develop draft amendments to the 2019 Guidelines for port State control under MARPOL and finally, further consider document MEPC 74/17/1 with a view to advising the Sub-Committee how best to proceed.

After WG2 had completed its work, the Sub-Committee considered the report of the Group in which it would:

 

1. Advise the Committee that the proposed new output set out in document MEPC 74/14/4 should be approved, and that the output should also include the development of consequential amendments to the 2013 Guidelines as required by 13.2.2 of MARPOL Annex VI in respect of non-identical engines not required to meet the Tier III limit;
2. Note that the Group agreed in general with the need to amend the MARPOL Annex VI PSC Guidelines to include Chapter 4, but due to time constraints could not review document PPR 7/2/5 (IMarEST).  With that purpose in mind, to invite the Committee that it request the III Sub-Committee to review that document; and,
3. With regard to document PPR 7/2/6 (Republic of Korea) questioning whether there is a need to amend regulation 18.11 of MARPOL Annex VI or to develop a UI in order to adjust the onboard storage period of bunker samples for ships navigating on regular routes as required, the Group noted that no further discussion would be needed as the intervention by the observer of IMarEST had clarified the matter to the ROKs satisfaction.

 

 

End

 

 

Captain Paddy McKnight