Classification society DNV on Friday (16 December) published a technical regulatory news titled IMO Update: Marine Environment Protection Committee – MEPC 79, reports Manifold Times.
It focuses on highlights of the 79th session of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 79) held from 12 to 16 December 2022.
The highlights include the adoption of a Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) in the Mediterranean Sea from 1 July 2025 as well as further discussions on the revision of the IMO GHG Strategy scheduled for 2023 and future technical and market-based measures. MEPC 79 also discussed establishing a mandatory licensing scheme for bunker suppliers.
The following are further details of bunker-related highlights:
MARPOL Annex VI – Mediterranean sulphur ECA
Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI were adopted to establish a Mediterranean Emission Control Area for sulphur oxides and particulate matter. The requirement will be the same as for other sulphur ECAs, mandating the use of fuel oil with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.10% or the use of an exhaust gas cleaning system.
The amendments will enter into force on 1 May 2024, and the requirements take effect on 1 May 2025.
MARPOL Annex VI – information to be included in the BDN
Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, Appendix V were adopted to extend the information to be included in the BDN to also include the flashpoint of the fuel oil, or alternatively a statement that the flashpoint has been measured at or above 70°C.
The amendments will enter into force on 1 May 2024.
MARPOL Annex VI – information to be submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database
Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, Appendix IX were adopted to include the attained and required Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) values, the CII rating and attained Energy Efficiency Design Index for existing ships (EEXI) in the required information to be submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database.
The amendments will enter into force on 1 May 2024. However, administrations are invited to consider early application from 1 January 2024 to ensure that the CII data for 2023 is reported to the IMO.
Licensing scheme for bunker suppliers
MEPC 79 discussed establishing a mandatory licensing scheme for bunker suppliers. However, there were no agreements to do so, but member states were encouraged to apply the voluntary licensing scheme in the Guidance for best practice for Member State/coastal State (MEPC.1/Circ.884/Rev.1).
Unified Interpretations
MEPC 79 approved a clarification on the Unified Interpretation of Appendix IX of MARPOL Annex VI, that the DCS reporting includes boil-off gases (BOG) used for propulsion or operational needs such as in a boiler or burnt in a Gas Combustion Unit (GCU) for cargo tank pressure control, or for other operational purposes.
MEPC 79 approved an extension of the Unified Interpretation of Regulation 18.3 of MARPOL Annex VI related to NOx emissions when using biofuels, that it should also be applicable for fuels with a synthetic fuel content of up to 30%. In principle, such fuels fall under the definition of Marine Fuel Oil derived from petroleum refining (Regulation 18.3.1) and no further NOx testing is required.
MEPC 79 approved Unified Interpretations of Regulation 26 of MARPOL Annex VI related to the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP). A new ship should comply with the requirement at the time of delivery. Furthermore, for ships delivered on 1 October or later, the following year should be the first year of the three-year implementation plan, and the attained CII for the remaining part of the year of delivery should not be included when the determining whether the ship should develop a corrective action plan under Regulation 28.
MEPC 79 approved a Unified Interpretation of Regulation 28 of MARPOL Annex VI related to the plan for corrective action to achieve the required CII. The corrective action plan should plan for how to achieve the required CII on the second year after the reporting year that resulted in the third consecutive D-rating or an E-rating.
On-board CO2 capture
A brief discussion was held on provisions for considering on-board CO2 capture and storage in GHG regulations under MARPOL Annex VI. Due to time constraints, the issue was deferred to MEPC 80.
Lifecycle GHG/carbon intensity for marine fuels
A brief discussion was held on developing guidelines on life cycle GHG/carbon intensity. The correspondence group will continue its work on the guidelines, and a first version is expected to be finalized at MEPC 80 in July 2023.
Note: The full TECHNICAL REGULATORY NEWS No. 29/2022 – STATUTORY can be downloaded here.
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Source: Manifold Times
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