The Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO meets this week to discuss ships’ energy efficiency along with other green topics including ballast water management and ship recycling regulations.
The MEPC is continuing its work on the development of further technical and operational measures for ships, to encourage energy efficiency. The committee adopted the new chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI, Promotion of technical co-operation and transfer of technology relating to the improvement of energy efficiency of ships, which is due to come into force on 1 January 2013.
The committee’s work will include the development of guidelines for deciding minimum propulsion power and speed to enable safe manoeuvring in difficult weather conditions, as well as the development of Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) frameworks for new ships.
It will also further consider a draft resolution intended to provide a framework aimed at promoting and assisting technology transfer, to support the implementation of new regulation on ships.
To end its meeting, the MEPC will consider granting basic and final approval to the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environment Protection (GESAMP) Ballast Water Working Group’s ballast water management systems and will reflect on draft guidelines for the recycling of ships under the Honk Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.
