by Edwin Lampert
Tanker Shipping & Trade editor Edwin Lampert says that a perfect storm of regulation and implementation for tanker operators may have been averted. Should the industry thank Tanker Shipping & Trade?
Last week we unveiled the outline programme for the 2017 Tanker Shipping & Trade Conference, Exhibition and Awards in London.
We have introduced a session on day two of the event called How the tanker industry can prepare for the perfect storm.
We foresaw a ‘perfect storm for the industry’ around 2020 with the tanker industry rushing to install ballast water treatment systems while simultaneously scrambling to comply with the IMO global 0.5 per cent sulphur cap.
Is it possible that the regulators at IMO saw our programme and have taken steps to avert the pending storm?
We attended MEPC 71 this week and were able to report firsthand on the approval of draft amendments that will give some vessels breathing space to 2024 to delay compliance with the IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention.
The meeting had two proposed draft amendments to consider from the previous meeting, in September last year: one based around the first renewal date of a ship’s International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate after the convention enters into force and one based around the second renewal date. The meeting decided to let the latter of those options be explored further.
This affects the convention’s regulation B-3 which defines when ships must meet the discharge standards set out in the convention’s regulation D-2.
That is now one of a number of topics being considered by a review group that started work at the end of this morning’s session of the week-long gathering. It will report back to the full MEPC 71 meeting on Friday 7 July when a draft resolution on implementing the BWMC will be adopted.
The draft amendments themselves will be submitted to the next MEPC meeting in March 2018 – after the convention has entered into force – with a view to their adoption at that meeting.
We will update you on the outcomes. And learn for ourselves the extent to which we may need to update our conference programme!
Disclaimer: This video is intended for informational purpose only. This may not be construed as a news item or advice of any sort. Please consult the experts in that field for the authenticity of the presentations.
Did you subscribe for our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Tanker Shipping & Trade, Riviera Maritime Media Ltd on YouTube
