IME(I) deliberates on Outcomes of MEPC 80

Leading with a record 36 references, India makes its presence felt at IMO

Padmesh Prabhune

Photos take from Jaggu

A seminar to deliberate on the outcome of MEPC 80 was organized by the Mumbai branch of the Institute of Marine Engineers (India) (IMEI), in association with Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) on Saturday July 29 at the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) auditorium.

The seminar was attended by the members of the industry in large numbers to understand the happenings with the firsthand information from the members of the Indian delegation who represented India at the IMO with their papers.

The Guest of Honor, Mr Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman, IRS, appreciated the efforts of IMEI for organizing the seminar. He also mentioned that climate change has been discussed for quite some time and now with Post COVID the efforts are back to streamline the global maritime industry, and  we are in a transition phase for betterment.

Commenting on India’s successful presentation, he said, “Our participation in IMO has been India-centric and was well appreciated by the other member nations. We need to have more such presentations thereby having regular engagement and gradually have our say in global forums like these.”

Mr Ajith Sukumaran, Chief Surveyor, DGS, Govt of India, who was the keynote speaker equally thanked the organizers. Mr Sukumaran said that the Indian delegation was able to make their presence felt at the IMO, presenting 11 papers overall, and above all during various debates and presentations reference to India was made 36 times only to be followed by 17 times for Norway, which shows our worth and highlights the importance of India’s maritime standing in recent times. He also mentioned that global issues need to be considered and that this is the only way forward.

At the seminar three different sets of expert panels were designated to explain the happenings. While for GHG Emissions & revised strategy the panel had Mr IN Bose, Mr CPK Kashyap, Mr N Girish and Mr M Prasad; for Ballast Water Management challenges the panel constituted Mr Rajeev Nayyer, Mr Mahesh Subramanian, and Mr S Sanatni.

The Pollution and other matters were dealt by a panel of Mr J Dasgupta, Mr TK Sahu, Mr D Kabi, and Mr B Venkat.

Members of Indian delegation categorically made it clear that global issues need to be considered but equally stressed that as 61 % trade happens from developing countries they should be heard as well. India objected to the levy on carbon emissions, further making it clear that the countries should be given the liberty to consider national conditions and 5 % on Zero fuel should not be enforced. The Carbon levy should be levied in totality and it should not be enforced, India demanded. Also India was the only country to talk about the revenue generation and equal disbursal as it contributes 11 % of the global trade. India further pitched for upskill training with a dedicated fund for seafarers and these points were acknowledged by all at the IMO.

The MEPC 80 session adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, with enhanced targets to tackle harmful emissions. The revised IMO GHG Strategy includes an enhanced common ambition to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping close to 2050, a commitment to ensure an uptake of alternative zero and near-zero GHG fuels by 2030, as well as indicative check-points for 2030 and 2040.

The Major happenings of MPEC 80 include

• Tackling climate change – 2023 IMO GHG Strategy adopted
• Energy efficiency of ships – draft amendments to IMO ship fuel oil consumption Data Collection System (DCS) approved
• Ballast water management – including approval of the Convention Review Plan and adoption of amendments to the BWM Convention
• Biofueling management – revised Guidelines adopted
• Designation of a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area in the in the North-Western Mediterranean to protect cetaceans
• Underwater noise – revised guidelines adopted
• Tackling marine litter – work on plastic pellets carriage / lost containers
• Ship-to-ship transfer – proposed Assembly resolution
• Special areas –effective date for the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden special areas under MARPOL Annexes I and V
• Other matters from the PPR Sub-Committee

Life cycle GHG assessment guidelines adopted

The MEPC adopted Guidelines on life cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels (LCA guidelines). The LCA guidelines allow for a Well-to-Wake calculation, including Well-to-Tank and Tank-to-Wake emission factors, of total GHG emissions related to the production and use of marine fuels.

Interim guidance on the use of biofuels

The MEPC approved an MEPC circular on Interim guidance on the use of biofuels under regulations 26, 27 and 28 of MARPOL Annex VI (DCS and CII).

The MEPC agreed terms of reference for a future ISWG-GHG meeting as well as the next steps for a comprehensive impact assessment of candidate GHG reduction measures.

The MEPC considered a number of submissions related to onboard CO2 capture and agreed to instruct ISWG-GHG 16, if time permits, to consider the proposals related to onboard CO2 capture ahead of MEPC 81 and advise the Committee on a way forward.

The submissions include those relating to onboard carbon capture (OCC) technology and a proposal on the way forward to review the current regulatory framework and consider how to move forward to potentially accommodate onboard CO2 capture within IMO’s regulatory framework.

The MEPC adopted the 2023 Guidelines for thermal waste treatment devices.

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