IMO set to adopt measures on cutting ships' gas emissions - Manila Bulletin Websites and Publications

Posted - July 13, 2011 - EDU LOPEZ - Manila Bulletin Websites and Publications

MANILA, Philippines — The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is considering the adoption of the mandatory measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping.
Also high on the agenda this week is the consideration of amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) to designate a new United States Caribbean sea area emission control area; designate the Baltic Sea as a special area with respect to pollution by sewage from ships; and to adopt a revised Annex V related to control of garbage.
The MEPC will also discuss issues relating to the implementation of the ship recycling and ballast water management conventions and consider the adoption of new guidelines on bio-fouling.
At the request of a number of states party to MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships, the MEPC will be invited to consider proposed amendments to Annex VI to make mandatory the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), for new ships, and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP). Both have already been disseminated via MEPC Circulars for voluntary use.
The EEDI is a non-prescriptive, performance-based mechanism that leaves the choice of technologies to use in a specific ship design to the industry.
As long as the required energy-efficiency level is attained, ship designers and builders would be free to use the most cost-efficient solutions for the ship to comply with the regulations.
The SEEMP establishes a mechanism for operators to improve the energy efficiency of ships.
The committee will also consider the report of a meeting of the working group on GHG emissions from ships, which met in March 2011 to consider suitable market-based measures (MBMs) to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping.
This follows the submission to the MEPC of a comprehensive report by an Expert Group, which had carried out a feasibility study and impact assessment of several possible market-based measures submitted by Governments and observer organizations.
The group held an extensive exchange of views on issues related to the desirability of MBMs providing: Certainty in emission reductions or carbon price; revenues for mitigation, adaptation and capacity-building activities in developing countries; incentives for technical and operational improvements in shipping; and offsetting opportunities.
The MEPC is expected to outline future work by the Organization on this matter, including, as identified by the Working Group, further in-depth examination of the impact of MBMs on developing countries.

Source at:
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/326574/imo-set-adopt-measures-cutting-ships-gas-emissions