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The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO has concluded that more work needs to be done before it completes its consideration of the proposed mandatory application of technical and operational measures designed to regulate and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping.

Meeting at the Organization’s London headquarters, the Committee’s 60th session agreed to establish an intersessional Working Group to build on the significant progress that had been made during the meeting on technical and operational measures to increase the energy efficiency of ships. The Working Group will report back to the Committee’s next session (MEPC 61), in September 2010.

Although the meeting was able to prepare draft text on mandatory requirements for the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new vessels and on the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships in operation, the Committee noted in particular, that, among other things, issues concerning ship size, target dates and reduction rate in relation to the EEDI requirements all required finalization.

The Committee agreed on the basic concept that a vessel’s attained EEDI shall be equal or less (e.g. more efficient) than the required EEDI, and that the required EEDI shall be drawn up based on EEDI baselines and reduction rates yet to be agreed. The Committee noted guidelines for calculating the EEDI baselines using data from existing ships in the Lloyd’s Register Fairplay database.

With regard to market-based measures, the Committee agreed to establish an Expert Group on the subject to undertake a feasibility study and impact assessment of the various proposals submitted for a market-based instrument for international maritime transport – again, reporting back to MEPC 61.

Amendments to the MARPOL Convention

Among other items on a full agenda, the Committee adopted amendments to the MARPOL Convention to formally establish a North American Emission Control Area, in which emissions of sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter from ships will be subject to more stringent controls than the limits that apply globally.

Another new MARPOL regulation, to protect the Antarctic from pollution by heavy grade oils, was also adopted. The new regulation prohibits 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.

These amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 August 2011.

Secretary-General’s closing remarks

In his closing remarks to the meeting, IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos focused on the progress made in dealing with GHG emissions from ships and the challenges that still remain.

Placing the Committee’s work in its wider context, he said, “Global issues demand global solutions. Let the world learn from the lessons of Copenhagen so that the same mistakes are not repeated in Cancun. At the same time, let us build on the undeniable successes Copenhagen has scored, by providing a forum for Heads of State and Government to listen to and understand each other’s problems, concerns, worries and sensitivities and, thus, pave the way for a more successful next round of consultations.”

The shipping world, he added, should proceed, “not in a fragmented manner, but as responsible members of a community that has a role to play in this effort.”