OUTCOME OF IMO’S RELEVANT MEETINGS
Marine Environment Protection Committee – 66th session, March/April 2014
MEPC 66 (March/April) adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, regulation 13, on Nitrogen Oxides (NOX), concerning the date for the implementation of “Tier III” standards within emission control areas (ECAs), which are expected to enter into force on
1 September 2015.
The amendments provide for the Tier III NOx standards to be applied to a marine diesel engine that is installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 2016 and which operates in the North American Emission Control Area or the U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area that are designated for the control of NOx emissions.
Correspondence group on the assessment of availability of fuel oil under MARPOL Annex VI
MEPC 66 re-established the correspondence group on the Assessment of Availability of Fuel Oil required under regulation 14.8 of MARPOL Annex VI, under the coordination of the United States, to develop the methodology to determine the availability of fuel oil to comply with the fuel oil standard as set out in regulation 14.1.3 of MARPOL Annex VI.
Establishment of a correspondence group
MEPC 66 agreed to establish a correspondence group on Further Technical and Operational Measures for Enhancing Energy Efficiency, under the coordination of Cyprus, to consider the development of a data collection system for fuel consumption of ships, including identification of the core elements of such a system
Work on control of GHG emissions from international shipping
With regard to mandatory energy efficiency regulations for ships, MEPC 66 adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI concerning the extension of the scope of application of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) to LNG carriers, ro-ro cargo ships
(vehicle carriers), ro-ro cargo ships, ro-ro passenger ships and cruise passenger ships with non-conventional propulsion;
The Committee also adopted the 2014 Guidelines on the method of calculation of the Attained Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships (resolution MEPC.245(66)); and agreed to the establishment of an EEDI database in order to support the review of the implementation of the EEDI provisions as detailed in regulation 21.6 of MARPOL Annex VI.
Further technical and operational measures to enhance the energy efficiency of ships
MEPC 66 discussed various submissions relating to proposals to establish a framework for the collection and reporting of data on the fuel consumption of ships and established a Working Group on “Further technical and operational measures for enhancing energy efficiency of international shipping” to consider the development of a data collection system for ships, including identification of the core elements of such a system.
Technical co-operation and transfer of technology
MEPC 66, in discussing the implementation of resolution MEPC.229(65) on Promotion of Technical Co-operation and Transfer of Technology relating to the Improvement of Energy Efficiency of Ships, established, in accordance to the resolution, an Ad Hoc Expert Working Group on Facilitation of Transfer of Technology for Ships (AHEWG-TT), which met during the session and agreed to hold a second meeting in October 2014, to discuss the specific tasks under the AHEWG-TT work plan.
Technical cooperation activities
Under the 2014 to 2015 Integrated Technical Co-operation Programme (ITCP) of IMO, several national and regional capacity building activities are currently planned, in order to sustain the level of technical cooperation interventions in various regions for the effective implementation and enforcement of energy efficiency measures for ships. In this context, four regional workshops to raise awareness with regard to improving energy efficiency and the control of GHG emissions from ships are scheduled to take place in the biennium.
GEF-UNDP-IMO Project: Transforming the Global Maritime Transport Industry towards a Low Carbon Future through Improved Energy Efficiency
MEPC 66 noted that IMO, through the UNDP, submitted a Project Identification Form (PIF) to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for funding a medium-size project entitled "Transforming the Global Maritime Transport Industry towards a Low Carbon Future through Improved Energy Efficiency" to assist the developing countries in the implementation of new energy efficiency measures adopted by IMO.
Marine Environment Protection Committee – 65th session, May 2013
MEPC 65 continued its work on further developing technical and operational measures relating to energy-efficiency measures for ships, following the entry into force on 1 January 2013, of the new chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI, which includes requirements mandating the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), for new ships and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), for all ships.
MEPC 65, in noting the importance of enhancing energy efficiency and reducing fuel consumption with subsequent reductions of CO2 emissions and other pollutants emitted to air from ships, considered further measures. These include the use of a phased approach to implementation, with the focus of initial work being on data collection, as a basis for future technical work.
IMO is also focusing its efforts on technical co-operation and capacity building to ensure smooth and effective implementation and enforcement of the new regulations worldwide. In this regard, MEPC adopted an MEPC Resolution on Promotion of Technical Co-operation and Transfer of Technology relating to the Improvement of Energy Efficiency of Ships, which, among other things, requests the Organization, through its various programmes, to provide technical assistance to Member States to enable cooperation in the transfer of energy efficient technologies to developing countries in particular; and further assist in the sourcing of funding for capacitybuilding and support to States, in particular, developing States, which have requested technology transfer.
Regulations to control emissions from ships
The Committee agreed draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI regulation 13 on Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), to amend the date for the implementation of “Tier III” standards within emission control areas (ECAs) to 1 January 2021, from the current effective date of
1 January 2016. The draft amendments will be circulated prior to MEPC 66 in 2014, for consideration with a view to adoption.
Regulations for energy efficiency for ships
To support implementation of the amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on energy efficiency for ships which entered into force on 1 January 2013, the Committee:
· Approved draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, with a view to adoption at MEPC66, to extend the application of EEDI to ro-ro cargo ships (vehicle carrier), LNG carriers, cruise passenger ships having non-conventional propulsion, ro-ro cargo ships and ro-ro passenger ships; and to exempt ships not propelled by mechanical means, and platforms including FPSOs and FSUs and drilling rigs, regardless of their propulsion; as well as cargo ships having ice-breaking capability;
· Adopted amendments to update resolution MEPC.215(63) Guidelines for calculation of reference lines for use with the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), including the addition of ro-ro cargo ships (vehicle carrier), ro-ro cargo ships and ro-ro passenger ships, and LNG Carriers;
· Noted, with a view to adoption at MEPC 66, the finalized amendments to resolution MEPC.212(63) 2012 Guidelines on the method of calculation of the attained Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships;
· Approved amendments to unified interpretation MEPC.1/Circ.795, to update the circular with regards to requirements for SEEMP, to exclude platforms (including FPSOs and FSUs), drilling rigs, regardless of their propulsion, and any other ship without means of propulsion;
· Adopted the 2013 Interim Guidelines for determining minimum propulsion power to maintain the manoeuvrability of ships in adverse conditions, which are intended to assist Administrations and recognized organizations in verifying that ships, complying with the EEDI requirements set out in regulation 21.5 of MARPOL Annex VI, have sufficient installed propulsion power to maintain the manoeuvrability in adverse conditions;
· Approved the 2013 Guidance on treatment of innovative energy efficiency technologies for calculation and verification of the attained EEDI, which are intended to assist manufacturers, shipbuilders, shipowners, verifiers and other interested parties related to the EEDI of ships to treat innovative energy efficiency technologies for calculation and verification of the attained EEDI, addressing systems such as air lubrication, wind propulsion systems; high temperature waste heat recovery systems; and photovoltaic power generation system;
· Adopted the 2013 Guidelines for calculation of reference lines for use with the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for cruise passenger ships having nonconventional propulsion; and
· Adopted amendments to resolution MEPC.214(63) 2012 Guidelines on survey and certification of the energy efficiency design index (EEDI), to add references to measuring sea conditions in accordance with ITTC Recommended Procedure
7.5-04-01-01.1 Speed and Power Trials Part 1; 2012 revision 1 or ISO 15016:2002.
Further measures to improve the energy efficiency of ships
The Committee considered the importance of enhancing energy efficiency and reducing fuel consumption with subsequent reductions of CO2 emissions and other pollutants emitted to air and noted the need to discuss further relevant proposals submitted to the session. In this regard, the Committee considered the use of a phased approach to implementation, with the focus of its initial work being on data collection, as a basis for future technical work.
Expert Workshop on the update of GHG emissions estimate for international shipping – February/March 2013
The Expert Workshop which was held from 26 February to 1 March 2013, considered and made recommendations for the methodology and assumptions to be used in the Update Study.
The new study will focus on updating key figures in the current (second) IMO GHG Study (2009), which estimated that international shipping emitted 870 million tonnes, or about 2.7%, of the global man-made emissions of CO2 in 2007.
The update of the study is considered necessary, in general, to provide a better foundation for future work by IMO to address GHG emissions from international shipping. Sea transport is fuel-efficient and without updated figures it will be difficult to provide a meaningful baseline to illustrate the steadily on-going improvement in fuel efficiency due to improved hull design, more effective diesel engines and propulsion systems and more effective utilization of individual ships resulting from the introduction of mandatory technical and operational measures, including other operational measures employed by ships as a consequence of the economic downturn.
Marine Environment Protection Committee – 64th session, October 2012
MEPC 64 approved amendments to these important guidelines that support implementation of the mandatory measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping, paving the way for the regulations on EEDI and SEEMP to be smoothly implemented by Administrations and industry upon entry into force on 1January 2013.
MEPC 64 noted that uncertainty exists in the estimates and projections of emissions from international shipping and agreed that further work should take place to provide the Committee with reliable and up-to-date information to base its decisions. The Committee, in principle, endorsed a draft outline (document MEPC 64/5/5) for an update study of the GHG emissions estimate and agreed that an expert workshop be held in 2013 to further consider the methodology and assumptions to be used in the update.
An updated GHG inventory is considered necessary as the current estimate, contained in the Second IMO GHG Study (2009), does not take account of the economic downturn experienced globally since 2008. The update would be a technical exercise, building on the methodology developed under the Second IMO GHG Study 2009 and based on available data on fleet composition and size as well as on other technical ship-particular data. The inventory would include current global emissions of GHGs and relevant substances emitted from ships of 100 GT and above, engaged in international transport.
Marine Environment Protection Committee – 63rd session, February/March 2012
MEPC 63 adopted the following four important guidelines aimed at supporting implementation of the mandatory measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions from international shipping, paving the way for the regulations on EEDI and SEEMP to be smoothly implemented by Administrations and industry upon their entry into force on 1 January 2013:
.1 resolution MEPC.212(63) – 2012 Guidelines on the method of calculation of the attained Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships;
.2 resolution MEPC.213(63) – 2012 Guidelines for the development of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP);
.3 resolution MEPC.214(63) – 2012 Guidelines on survey and certification of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI); and
.4 resolution MEPC.215(63) – Guidelines for calculation of reference lines for use with the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).
MEPC 63 also continued its discussion on Market-Based Measures for GHG emissions from international shipping.
Marine Environment Protection Committee – 62nd session, July 2011
The Committee considered and adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI for inclusion of regulations on energy efficiency for ships (resolution MEPC.203(62)), which are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2013 upon their deemed acceptance on 1 July 2012. The amendments to MARPOL Annex VI – Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships, add a new chapter 4 to Annex VI on Regulations on energy efficiency for ships making the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) mandatory for new ships and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships in operation. The new regulations apply to all merchant ships of 400 gross tonnage and above regardless of the national flag they fly or the nationality of the owner.
A work plan was agreed by the Committee to develop further the guidelines related to EEDI and SEEMP and to include development of the remaining EEDI and SEEMP related guidelines and an EEDI framework for ship types and sizes and propulsion systems not covered by the current EEDI requirements. For that purposed it was also agreed by the Committee to hold an Intersessional Meeting of the Working Group on Energy Efficiency Measures. The Intersessional Meeting will take place January 2012 and its report should be submitted to MEPC 63 (February/March 2012).
Due to time constraints, MEPC 62 agreed to postpone the consideration of Market-Based Measures (MBMs), UNFCCC related matters and a possible reduction target for international shipping to the next MEPC session (MEPC 63 in February/March 2012).
Third Intersessional Meeting of IMO’s Working Group on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from ships, March 2011
The Intersessional Meeting held extensive exchange of views on issues related to the desirability of MBMs providing: certainty in emissions reductions or carbon price; revenues for mitigation, adaptation and capacity building activities in developing countries; incentives for technological and operational improvements in shipping; and offsetting opportunities.