Significant decisions on environmental regulations affecting shipping are expected at the 69th session of the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC).

Big decisions are expected from MEPC 69 which is taking place from 18-22 April

Big decisions about green shipping are expected from MEPC

MEPC 69 is taking place between 18-22 April 2016 at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) headquarters in London.

Energy efficiency is one subject at top of the week’s agenda, with the committee expected to consider a report reviewing the status of technological developments which are relevant to implementing the second phase of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) regulation.

Key issues also include the inadequacy of reception facilities for waste from ships likely to have residues from cargoes that are harmful to the marine environment, bio-invasions in the Arctic, and the planned sulphur emissions cap.

Watershed discussions are expected to surround the subject of reducing international shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).

Another big subject on the agenda is the International Convention for the Control Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (the BWM Convention), which is close to gaining its requirements for ratification.

The session is expected to review the guidelines for ballast water management systems approval process, the D2 standard, and discuss time frames for implementation.

As well as this, a proposed data collection system for fuel consumption and potential amendments to chapter four of Marpol Annex VI.

Ahead of MEPC 69, the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) has announced its two clear priorities.

Its first priority is to approve a mandatory data collection system for fuel used on ships in international trade.

The other priority is to work on the revision of the G8 guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems and to address the concerns that surround IMO’s Ballast Water Convention coming into force in the near future.

BIMCO has made it clear that it wishes to see the MEPC finalise the revision of the G8 guidelines, which currently do not meet the requirements for the Ballast Water Convention.