The IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) held its 78th session (MEPC 78) remotely from June 6-10, 2022. This article summarises the outcomes from MEPC 78.

The Club's Correspondent, Vitsan, has issued a Circular to advise Members of amendments and new provisions in the Turkish Environmental Law for Marine Pollution Incidents, published in the Official Gazette on 15 June 2022.

In their latest alert to their clients, ECM Maritime Services, LLC reports on clarification received from the EPA relating to the requisite frequency of sampling and analysis of treated ballast water discharges from USCG type approved Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS) and Alternate Management systems (AMS)* onboard vessels subject to VGP requirements

The IMO has adopted amendments to the Anti-Fouling Systems Convention (AFS convention) vide Resolution MEPC 331 (76), which restricts the use of Cybutryne and also includes an operative passage with respect to the issuance of the new AFS certificate. 

Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) has confirmed that they have detected chlorinated hydrocarbons on fuel samples representing HSFO deliveries in Singapore.

Australia's Biosecurity Amendment (Biofouling Management) Regulations 2021, which come into force on 15 June 2022, will require international ships arriving in Australia to report the following information in the ship's pre-arrival report.

The Club would like to remind all Members and industry stakeholders to proactively start preparations for the BWTS installations if they have not already been scheduled.

These amendments will enter into force on 1 April 2022.

A global fuel sulphur cap of 0.5% was introduced from 1 January 2020, while the 0.1% sulphur cap continued to apply within the ECAs designated under MARPOL Annex VI

The Club would like to draw Members' attention to the 2022 tariffs for sea pollution fines in Turkey, applicable from 1 January 2022.

The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee met virtually and in person on 22-26 November 2021 for its 77th session (MEPC 77).

After two weeks of intensive and tense negotiations, the outcome of COP26 can probably be best summed up by the words of its President, Mr Alok Sharma; "Today, we can say with credibility that we have kept 1,5 degrees within reach - but, its pulse is weak"; below is an overview of the wider measures and initiatives to emerge from COP26, as well as a more detailed summary of the shipping-related elements.