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 UK P&I Club recently hosted a live webinar. Patrick Ryan, the Club's Sustainability Director, asked the panel how the shipping industry's decarbonisation strategy is shaping up?
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.
In December 2020, the Club provided the below update on the California ballast water discharge regulations reporting that the California State Lands Commission (CSLC) had issued a notice of Approval of Amendment to Articles of the California Code of Regulations, these amendments will become effective on 1 January 2022.
The new Environment Examination Regulation number 31509 dated 12 June 2021 was published and contained inspection information, and does not contain any increase on fine amount, thus the Pollution tariff 2021 is still valid.
Please find below information received from UK Club correspondent in Turkey, Vitsan; the circular outlines the recent announcement that wash water discharge of open-loop scrubbers is prohibited in Turkish waters
The International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage was adopted in March 2001.The Japanese Government deposited its instrument of accession for the Convention on 1st July 2020 and the condition for entry into force of the Convention will be met on 1st October 2020
A new law was signed in California on 24th September 2020 for Members trading in California waters, which will bring the following increases in criminal penalties for oil spill related offences from 1st January 2021
A new revision to the PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes (new Revision) becomes effective on 1st September 2020
An aid to risk identification and loss reduction. Use our colour-coded checklist to build your awareness of the risks and the steps needed to minimise them.
While no changes are anticipated in the US enforced Emission Control Areas (ECAs) on or after 1 January, 2020, US regions outside the ECAs will need to ensure compliance with the IMO's 2020 global 0.5% sulphur cap from 1 January, 2020.
Members are referred to ECM Maritime Services LLC's Client Alert 21-2019 for details of ACP's updated fuel requirements for vessels anchoring, transiting through and docking at terminals in Panama Canal waters. These requirements will apply from 1 January 2020, in compliance with IMO 2020.
The following table lists countries which have imposed bans on vessels fitted with open-loop SOx scrubbers calling at their ports, and on the discharge of washwater from these scrubber systems within their port waters.
The MARPOL permitted limit for sulphur content in ships' bunker will be reduced from 3.5% m/m to 0.50% m/m for ships operating outside designated emission control areas
