The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held its 60th session from 22-26 March 2010, in London, UK, and focused on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping. The MEPC concluded that more work needs to be done before it completes its consideration of the proposed mandatory application of technical and operational measures designed to regulate and reduce GHG emissions from international shipping.
The MEPC established an intersessional Working Group to build on the progress that had been made during the meeting on technical and operational measures to increase the energy efficiency of ships, and an Expert Group on market-based measures to undertake a feasibility study and impact assessment of the proposals submitted for a market-based instrument for international maritime transport. Both Groups are to report to the MEPC at its 61st session. Participants also: adopted amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL convention); addressed issues relating to the implementation of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, and adopted a resolution that requests Administrations to encourage the installation of ballast water management systems on new ships; continued work on developing “Guidelines for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling,” and commenced the development of “Guidelines for the development of the Ship Recycling Plan;” and agreed that the discharge requirements for the Wider Caribbean Region Special Area under MARPOL Annex V “Regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships” would take effect on 1 May 2011.
Link to further information
IMO press release, 26 March 2010