According to BRITANNIA P&I CLUB, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently hosted the 82nd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) session, focusing on emission control, sustainable practices, and regulatory frameworks to reduce maritime environmental impact.
Highlights of MEPC 82
- New Emission Control Areas (ECAs) under MARPOL Annex VI
- Canadian Arctic ECA and Norwegian Sea ECA will be effective on 1 March 2026.
- Sulphur content limit: 0.1% by mass from 1 March 2027.
- Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Tier III Standards:
- Canadian Arctic ECA: Applies to ships with keel laid from 1 January 2025.
- Norwegian Sea ECA: Applies to vessels constructed from 1 March 2026.
- Designation of New Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA)
- Nusa Penida Islands and Gili Matea Islands (Lombok Strait) are designated as PSSA to protect ecologically valuable areas.
- Agreements on Circulars
- Best practices for removal of anti-fouling coatings.
- Ballast water record-keeping improvements.
- Guidelines for reducing underwater radiated noise (URN).
- Debates on the 2023 IMO Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy
- No final decisions were reached, but members agreed on steps toward fair and efficient measures to meet GHG goals.
- Intersessional working groups will meet in February 2025, ahead of MEPC 83, to finalize the framework for adoption at MEPC 83 (planned for 7–11 April 2025).
- The goal is to approve measures at MEPC 83, with implementation by 2027.
- Regulatory Updates
- Improvements to the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) regulations.
- Enhancements to the Ballast Water Management Convention and other related frameworks.
Next Steps and Guidance for Shipowners
Shipowners are encouraged to:
- Consult their classification society or flag state administration for guidance on upcoming regulations.
- Stay informed about MEPC 83 developments, scheduled from 7–11 April 2025, where significant regulatory decisions are expected.
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Source: BRITANNIA P&I CLUB
