The 47th Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention (LC 47) and the 20th Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Protocol (LP 20) focused heavily on emerging issues like marine geoengineering and carbon sequestration, alongside existing challenges such as compliance and waste management.
Marine Geoengineering: Precautionary Approach
The Parties adopted a statement warning against the potential negative impacts of rising marine geoengineering activities, reaffirming their precautionary approach. Marine geoengineering, as defined under the London Protocol, includes ocean-based methods to mitigate climate change, like stimulating plankton growth or brightening clouds.1
- Concerns: The meeting highlighted the growing number of activities, including those by private companies, and expressed concerns about potential environmental, social, and economic impacts on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
- Next Steps: An intersessional Correspondence Group was re-established to work on:
- Clarifying how the LC/LP apply to marine geoengineering.
- Refining definitions for priority techniques.
- Clarifying the application of assessment frameworks (including the revised Ocean Fertilization Assessment Framework).
Carbon Sequestration and Dumping Compliance
Discussions advanced on the permanent storage of carbon dioxide and on improving the reporting of waste dumping permits.
- Sub-Seabed Carbon Sequestration: The governing bodies noted increased interest and the growing number of acceptances and declarations of provisional application for the 2009 amendment to Article 6 of the London Protocol. This amendment allows for the export of CO2 streams for permanent storage in sub-seabed geological formations. Parties were encouraged to submit detailed information about Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects and their experience with the CO2 Guidelines to the next Scientific Groups session.
- Compliance and Reporting: The overall reporting rate for dumping permits submitted via the IMO’s online GISIS platform remains below the targets set in the Strategic Plan. Work is ongoing to improve accessibility, address issues like language barriers and the complexity of GISIS, and support Parties in fulfilling their reporting requirements.
Waste Management and Marine Litter
New guidance was approved for vessel-related waste, and work continued on the growing issue of marine plastic pollution.
- Anti-Fouling Coatings: Revisions to the Guidance on best management practices for removal of anti-fouling coatings from ships were approved for immediate issuance.
- Fibreglass Vessels: Work continued developing guidance for the end-of-life management of Fibreglass-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) vessels. The Parties endorsed a request to add text emphasizing prevention of at-sea disposal over costly monitoring, given the long degradation time of FRP materials.
- Microplastics and Marine Plastic Litter: The governing bodies noted the adoption of the 2025 Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships by MEPC 83 (April 2025). The Secretariat was instructed to further engage with regional bodies on the issue of characterization and quantification of microplastics in sediments.
Radioactive Material Inventory
The meeting agreed on the process for updating the “Inventory of radioactive material resulting from historical dumping, accidents and losses at sea,” a document published by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA was requested to initiate the update, which will involve collecting and verifying new or historical data from Member States, with a progress report due at the 2026 meeting.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Safety4sea
