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The reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping will be a major focus for the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), when it meets for its 60th session from 22 to 26 March 2010, at the IMO Headquarters in London.

Also high on the agenda will be the expected adoption of a set of amendments to the MARPOL international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships, which will formally establish a North American Emission Control Area, in which emissions of sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) from ships will be subject to more stringent controls than the limits that apply globally.

Other issues to be discussed include the adoption of a new MARPOL regulation to protect the Antarctic from pollution by heavy grade oils.

Measures to address GHG from ships

The MEPC is expected to consider, in the light of the outcome of the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen in December 2009, the enacting of the technical and operational measures to reduce CO2 emissions from international shipping that were disseminated in 2009 for voluntary trial application.

The MEPC will also discuss the possible mandatory application of these measures based on a proposal by Japan, Norway and the United States to add a new section on energy efficiency to MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships.

The technical and operational measures already issued include the interim guidelines on the method of calculation, and voluntary verification, of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships, which is intended to stimulate innovation and technical development of all the elements influencing the energy efficiency of a ship; guidance on the development of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan for all ships in operation - new and existing - which incorporates best practices for the fuel-efficient operation of ships; and guidelines for voluntary use of the Ship Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator for new and existing ships, which enables operators to measure the fuel efficiency of a ship.

The EEDI will set a minimum requirement for the energy efficiency of new ships and would enable comparison of the energy efficiency of individual ships with similar ships of the same size which could have undertaken the same transport work (i.e. moved the same cargo).

The Committee will also continue developing the EEDI to cover ships with non-conventional design and propulsion systems that are not covered by the current index formula and, specifically, electric power tables for the EEDI; the EEDI baseline; and the appropriate reduction requirement for the different ship segments (i.e. types and sizes).

In addition, the Committee will continue its consideration of market-based instruments to supplement the technical and operational measures. In accordance with a work plan agreed at the Committee’s last session, the main issue at MEPC 60 will be the methodology and criteria for a feasibility study and an impact assessment of the proposed options, in order to enable MEPC 61 to make considered decisions on further development of market-based instruments when it meets in September/October this year.

A working group on GHG issues will be convened during the session.

Amendments to the MARPOL Convention

The MEPC will consider, with a view to adoption:

* draft amendments to MARPOL Annex I (Regulations for the prevention of pollution by oil) on Special requirements for the use or carriage of oils in the Antarctic area, to add a new chapter 9 with a new regulation 43, which would prohibit the carriage, in bulk as cargo, or carriage and use as fuel, of: crude oils having a density, at 15°C, higher than 900 kg/m3; oils, other than crude oils, having a density, at 15°C, higher than 900 kg/m3 or a kinematic viscosity, at 50°C, higher than 180 mm2/s; or bitumen, tar and their emulsions. An exception is envisaged for vessels engaged in securing the safety of ships or in a search-and-rescue operation; and

* draft amendments to the revised MARPOL Annex VI (Prevention of air pollution from ships) to designate specific portions of the coastal waters of the United States and Canada as an Emission Control Area (ECA) for the control of emissions of NOx, SOx and PM.