During this session, the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) is scheduled to consider, in the light of the outcome of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, the enacting of the technical and operational measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from international shipping that were disseminated in 2009 for voluntary trial application. The MEPC will also discuss the possible mandatory application of these measures based on a proposal by Japan, Norway and the US to add a new section on energy efficiency to MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships. The MEPC will also continue developing the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) to cover ships with non-conventional design and propulsion systems that are not covered by the current index formula. In addition, the Committee will continue its consideration of market-based instruments to supplement the technical and operational measures. A working group on GHG issues will be convened during the session.

dates: 22-26 March 2010  
location: London, UK  
www: http://www.imo.org/includes/blastDataOnly.asp/data_id%3D26826/1.pdf