- Tackling Climate change reducing GHG emissions from Ships.
- Enhancing Energy efficiency in the Global Shipping fleet.
- Air Pollution Control: Black carbon emissions in the Arctic.
- They are reducing underwater radiated noise from commercial Ships.
MEPC 82 Discussions
Environmental issues to be discussed at MEPC 82 include mid-term measures for reducing GHG emissions from ships. Also improvement in energy efficiency, reduction of marine litter, ballast water management and reduction of underwater noise.
A Precursor to MEPC 82: GHG Reduction Focus
A precursor event to MEPC 82, ISWG-GHG 17, Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships meeting will be held before 23-27 September 2024.
This pre-session will focus on different critical discussions over climate change and decarbonization of the global fleet.
Addressing Climate Change: Reducing Ship GHG Emissions
International shipping significantly impacts global climate change, and the IMO is dedicated to accountability. MEPC 82 will continue the efforts from MEPC 80 in July 2023, where the 2023 IMO Strategy for GHG Emission Reduction was adopted, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
Attention will be on mid-term measures that include a global marine fuel standard for reducing GHG and a maritime emissions pricing mechanism. MEPC 82 will take steps to legislate the above, and it will aim to finalise them by 2025.
The mid-term measures will be assessed for their impact on the global fleet and vulnerable Member States, including LDCs and SIDS.
Energy Efficiency of Ships: Boosting Short-Term Measures
MEPC 82 will look into the performance of existing short-term measures concerning ship energy efficiency in the GHG reduction effort. Ships with an enrollment date and to raise their annual Carbon Intensity Indicator.
A review process will evaluate submissions from Member States and industry. It is guiding regulatory changes between MEPC 82 and 83 in 2025.
Ballast Water Management: Safeguarding Marine Ecosystems
An important convention for hindering the spread of dangerous aquatic species by vessel ballast waters is the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention. In this a review process is ongoing and draft amendments are in development to increase its effectiveness.
MEPC 82 will discuss in-person talks on in-galley changes to the ballast water management system and in-galley updates of ballast water record books.
Marine Litter: A Global Action Plan
Marine litter, particularly plastic, is a major environmental threat. MEPC 82 will assess the effectiveness of its 2018 Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships.
New guidelines for the safe transportation of plastic pellets by sea, strategies for spill cleanup, and amendments to mandatory instruments for the transportation of plastics will be discussed.
New Emission Control Areas (ECAs) Designation
MEPC 82 will probably establish new ECAs under MARPOL Annex VI. Among them are waters in the Canadian Arctic and the Norwegian Sea – where NOx and SOx, among other emissions, with particulate matter will be tightly restricted.
These will protect human health. It also help prevent damage to vulnerable ecosystems.
Protecting Biodiversity: New Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas
Indonesia has proposed to designate the Nusa Penida Islands and Gili Matra Islands. These are located within the Lombok Strait. Particularly in Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA).
This region is part of the Coral Triangle, a biodiversity hotspot. This will protect threatened species and critical habitat. MEPC 82 shall consider this application to strengthen marine protections as shipping traffic increases over the area.
Prevention of Air Pollution: Reducing Black Carbon in the Arctic
Two key decisions are expected at MEPC 82 about air pollution:
- Best Practice Guidance to Reduce Black Carbon Emissions from Ships in the Arctic.
- Standards on quantifying and tracking these emissions.
Another item that the committee will review in terms of amending the NOx Technical Code 2008 is the draft of the amendments toward improving the control measures for emissions.
Reducing Underwater Radiated Noise
Commercial shipping produces underwater noise pollution that will have a disruptive effect on marine life, particularly on species that rely on sound for navigation and communication.
MEPC 82 will finalise an action plan for the reduction of URN from ships, inter alia including a three-year experience-building phase to test and refine guidelines and set emissions targets.
Pollution Prevention and Response
Among those up for ratification are several significant measures aimed at better pollution prevention, such as revised regulations governing additives for tank cleaning, and standards for local marine pollution contingency plans.
Recommendations are also likely to be made on reducing risks in the use of heavy fuel oil in Arctic waters.
Sustainable Ship Recycling
It is also expected to be unanimous regarding sustainable ship recycling. It reviews the draft guidance on implementing the HKC and BC.
These two are international frameworks set to be the rule regulating the transboundary movement of ships intended for recycling while ensuring environmentally sound disposal practices.
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Source: IMO
