Summary Report for IMO MEPC 79 17.12.2022 13:19ISWG-GHG 13 took place 5-9 December 2022 and MEPC 79 on 12-16 December 2022. Our Company summarises the discussions and outcomes which are significant to work with our customers.
• Reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions from Ships
Of most significance to the shipping industry were the discussions around the revision of the IMO’s GHG emission reduction strategy, which will impact the type and scale of mid- and long- term measures to be introduced to reduce GHG emissions. At this time, it’s unclear what the new strategy will be, but there is significant support and ambition from many delegations to move towards a form of zero emissions by 2050, with possible intermediate targets at 2030 and 2040. It is worth noting that:
− ISWG-GHG 13 produced a working document including all proposals for the revision of the IMO GHG Reduction Strategy. MEPC 79 discussed the working document and it will be considered further at ISWG-GHG 14 and ISWG-GHG 15, with finalisation and adoption of a new strategy anticipated at MEPC 80 in July 2023.
− Several proposals for amending or improving the short-term measures (EEXI and CII), including new correction factors, were deferred to MEPC 80 for consideration.
− The final report on Life Cycle Analysis is expected to be submitted to MEPC 80 in July 2023.
• Consideration and adoption of amendments to mandatory instruments
The following mandatory instruments were adopted, entering force 1 May 2024:
− Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, Regulation 14 to include a Mediterranean Sea SOx Emission Control Area (ECA).
− Amendments to MARPOL Annexes I, II and IV concerning regional reception facilities within Arctic waters.
− Amendments to MARPOL Annex V concerning regional reception facilities within Arctic waters and Garbage Record Book.
− Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI (Regional reception facilities within Arctic waters, information to be included in the bunker delivery note (BDN) and information to be submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database).
• Harmful Aquatic Organisms in ballast water
− Amendments to the form of the Ballast Water Record Book were agreed, with adoption expected at MEPC 80.
• Air pollution prevention
− Revised Unified Interpretations of MARPOL Annex VI were agreed.
• Energy Efficiency of Ships
− MEPC agreed amendments to the Guidelines on survey and certification of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), and to the Guidelines on the method of calculation of the attained Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships.
− A proposal to develop an EEDI Phase 4 was not supported at this stage.
