Noting the work its Members undertake in verifying the global and consistent implementation of IMO agreed requirements on behalf of the IMO Member States (in their capacities as Recognized Organizations), and to facilitate clarity for all industry stakeholders, IACS has submitted, or co-sponsored, papers on the following issues to MEPC 73:
MEPC 73/6/2 – this paper urges the Committee to commence its consideration, at least at a preliminary level, of Phase 2 (data analysis) of the three-step approach in relation to the IMO data collection system for ships, as a means of enhancing the energy efficiency of international shipping. In particular, the document discusses how Phase 2 could be conducted, the schedule for undertaking it and who should conduct this Phase.
MEPC 72/6/3 – this paper discusses three issues relating to the global and consistent implementation of the requirements in chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI relating to the data collection system for fuel oil consumption of ships.
MEPC 73/11/2 – this paper provides a suggested improvement to the draft 2018 Guidelines for the application of MARPOL Annex I requirements to floating production, storage and offloading facilities (FPSOs) and floating storage units (FSUs), which are before MEPC 73 for approval.
MEPC 73/11/4 – seeks the Committee’s advice with regard to any action that needs to be taken with electronic recording systems on “existing ships” that do not comply with the new draft Guidelines for the use of electronic record books under MARPOL. It also seeks clarification from the Committee on the intent of the inclusion in the draft Guidelines of references to IEC standards.
It is clear that MEPC 73 will be an important meeting. It is expected that two issues in particular will be the focus of substantive discussions:
- that, as from 1 January 2020, the limit for sulphur in fuel oil used on board ships operating outside designated emission control areas will be reduced to 0.50% m/m (mass by mass); and
- the next steps in delivering the initial strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships, which was adopted at MEPC 72.
Any enquiries on the above should be sent to Paul Sadler, IACS Accredited Representative to IMO, at permsec@iacs.org.uk