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Imo Marine Environment Protection Committee News

24 Mar 2024

ICS Responds to MEPC81 Outcomes

Source: IMO

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued a statement following the conclusion of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC81) Meeting last week.“We welcome the progress made during these intensive negotiations to achieve net zero emissions from shipping, and the support received from around 60 Member States for a flat rate contribution system per tonne of GHG. The purpose of the proposed system, put forward by the ICS, is to reduce the cost gap and incentivise the accelerated uptake of green marine fuels


18 Mar 2024

Houthi Attacks Must Ease for Salvage of Two Vessels, IMO Head Says

On March 2 at approximately 2:15 a.m. (Sanaa time), Rubymar, a Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier, sank in the Red Sea after being struck by an Iranian-backed Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile on Feb. 18. The ship had been slowly taking on water since the attack. (Photo: U.S. Central Command)

Efforts to limit environmental damage from a cargo vessel that sank after a Houthi missile strike and another abandoned during a fiery assault are on hold until attacks on ships ease, the United Nations' maritime shipping regulatory agency said on Monday.The UK-owned Rubymar last month became the first vessel lost since the Houthis began targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea area in November. The bulk carrier with 21,000 metric tons of fertiliser contained in its cargo hold


14 Jan 2024

2023 a Record Setting Year for Singapore

Source: Government of Singapore

Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Acting Minister for Transport, announced a record year in 2023 at a Singapore Maritime Foundation New Year Conversations event.The annual vessel arrival tonnage in the Port of Singapore crossed three billion gross tonnage (GT) for the first time, increasing by 9.4% over 2022 and setting a high of 3.09 billion GT in 2023. This reflects growth in all segments, including container ships, dry bulk carriers, liquid bulk and chemical tankers, ferries and specialised vessels


12 Jul 2023

SeaARCTOS: New ECAs Need New Approach to Emissions Monitoring

Source: SeaARCTOS

Flag and port state control authorities will need new tools to monitor compliance within the next wave of Emissions Control Areas (ECAs) if compliance is to meet minimum standards, according to emissions management start-up SeaARCTOS.“There is a risk that as the industry focuses on carbon, that sulfur emissions fall into the background, but they continue to present a serious public health risk and a compliance challenge,” says Michael Kougellis, SeaARCTOS CEO. “Growth in the ECA network means that demand for emissions monitoring and compliance management will continue to increase


28 Dec 2022

Singapore's Tan tapped as Vice-Chair of IMO MEPC

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) officer, Tan Hanqiang, currently First Secretary (Maritime), High Commission of the Republic of Singapore to the United Kingdom (UK), has been appointed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as Vice-Chair of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) with effective December 16, 2022. Tan succeeds Harry Conway (Liberia).This marks the first time a Singaporean has assumed the Vice-Chair appointment for the IMO MEPC in more than 20 years. Previously, an MPA Officer, Mr Zafrul Alam, served as Vice-Chair for IMO MEPC from 1999 to 2000.

25 Oct 2022

ICS Proposes Fund to Reward Use of Low Emission Fuels

© Debbie Ann Powell / Adobe Stock

A new plan proposed by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) aims to reward ships and energy producers that invest in low/net zero emission fuels.The organization, which represents 80% of the world’s merchant fleet, on Tuesday said it send a notice to UN regulator the International Maritime Organization (IMO) proposing a "fund and reward" system to catalyze the adoption of alternative fuels, which currently cost at least two or three times more than conventional marine fuel.The


06 Jun 2022

Langh Tech BWMS Receives IMO Approval

(Photo: Langh Tech)

Finnish marine technology manufacturer Langh Tech Oy Ab said it has received the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) type approval certificate for its LanghBW ballast water management system (BWMS) on May 12, 2022. The type approval project was carried out in cooperation with classification society DNV.The LanghBW BWMS uses fine filtration and UV-C treatment. According to the manufacturer, a unique feature is its ability to


07 Feb 2022

KR Launches Class Notation for Underwater Radiated Noise

© Alexey Seafarer / Adobe Stock

The Korean Register (KR) has developed new ‘Guidance for Underwater Radiated Noise’ intended to help protect marine ecosystems by reducing noise from ships.Underwater radiated noise is becoming a more serious issue as ships’ size and speed increases to handle high volumes of seaborne trade, causing increasing disruption to the marine ecosystem. The IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) is discussing measures to mitigate this growing challenge. As a result, new regulations are expected shortly


10 Mar 2021

Shipping Nations, Groups Call for IMO Green Research Fund

© leeyiutung / Adobe Stock

A group of prominent shipping nations and organizations are calling for a $5 billion research fund to help launch zero-emissions vessels by 2030, in a move aiming to accelerate the industry's efforts to decarbonize maritime transport.A proposal by governments including Georgia, Greece, Japan, Liberia, Malta, Nigeria, Singapore, Switzerland is being submitted Wednesday to the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO), in a bid to establish the IMO Maritime Research Fund using mandatory contributions from shipping companies


24 Nov 2020

Interferry GHG Data Survey Bids for Fair Application of IMO Proposals

© Roland Magnusson / Adobe Stock

Trade association Interferry is conducting an energy efficiency data survey among members to ensure that existing ferries can comply with short-term greenhouse gas emissions measures agreed in principle at last week’s meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC).Subject to final approval at next June’s MEPC meeting, by 2023 existing ships must achieve new pre-defined energy efficiency values in an initial step toward the 2030 target of a 40% improvement compared with 2008 values


19 May 2020

Norwegian Shipowners Commit to Carbon Neutral Fleet by 2050

Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg with Harald Solberg, CEO of the Norwegian Shipowners' Association (Photo: Norwegian Shipowners' Association)

Norwegian shipowners have laid out plans to make the country's fleet entirely climate neutral by 2050, surpassing the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) target to halve shipping emissions within the same timeframe.The Norwegian Shipowners' Association on Tuesday revealed its member shipping companies have adopted four goals to reduce their environmental footprint. Members will first cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 50% per transported unit by 2030, compared to 2008. From 2030, members will only order vessels with zero emission technology.

17 Dec 2019

Ship Industry Proposes $5B R&D Fund to Cut Emission

Shipping associations have proposed creating a research fund with $5 billion raised by the industry to develop technology to help the sector meet U.N. targets on cutting emissions."The global maritime transport industry has submitted a proposal to form the world’s first collaborative shipping R&D program to help eliminate CO2 emissions from international shipping," said a press note from International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).The proposal include a new non-governmental Research & Development organisation to pave the way for decarbonization of shipping. The other highlights of the proposal are thec ore funding from shipping companies


27 Jun 2019

IMO 2020: Countdown to Cutting SOx Emissions

International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been preparing ahead of the implementation date. From 1 January 2020, under IMO's MARPOL convention for the prevention of pollution from ships.Accordingly, the sulfur content of fuel oil used by ships operating outside designated emission control areas shall not exceed 0.50% - representing an 80% cut from the current 3.50% limit. New requirements for ships to cut sulfur oxide emissions enter into effect on 1 January 2020, marking a sea change in fuel used by ships, globally, which will significantly reduce air pollution from ships with positive benefits for human health and the environment.At a roundtable industry meeting hosted by IMO at its London Headquarters (21 June)


21 May 2019

Panama Canal Closer to a Carbon Neutral Future

The Panama Canal Authority announced enhancements to its industry-leading Green Connection Environmental Recognition Program.The award-winning initiative encourages the shipping industry to mitigate the environmental impact of their operations through an incentive-based system that includes the Green Connection Award, the Environmental Premium Ranking and the Emissions Calculator.The announcement took place on the heels of the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC74) in London, where the Panama Canal participated."With these improvements to our environmental and conservation initiatives, the Panama Canal solidifies its leadership in the adoption of carbon-reduction best practices," said Rodriguez.

18 May 2019

Shipping to Halve Carbon Footprint by 2050

The world's principal shipping organisation, representing around 80% of the world’s merchant tonnage, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)  remains confident that shipping will improve its carbon efficiency by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 2008, in line with the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This follows important decisions made by the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 74) which met in London this week, said a press release from the world’s national shipowner association.ICS Secretary General, Guy Platten said: “We welcome the adoption of important new IMO regulations to strengthen and bring forward the application of the Energy Efficiency Design Index for several different types of new build vessel


17 May 2019

IMO Sets Stricter Emissions Targets for New Ships

© Zhang Yongxin / Adobe Stock

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Friday agreed stricter energy efficiency targets for certain types of ships in an effort to speed up action to cut the sector's emissions.The IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee has been meeting in London this week to discuss tougher rules on sulphur emissions and other measures towards meeting a long-term goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from 2008 levels by 2050.The international shipping sector accounts for about 2% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the main greenhouse gas blamed for global warming.Under its En

09 May 2019

EU Ports Backs Harmonized Approach on Scrubbers

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 74), which is commencing next week in London, will discuss an EU proposal on the exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers).The proposal, which has been submitted by the EU 28 Member States and the European Commission, aims to start the discussion at international level on the discharges from scrubbers into the water, especially in sensitive areas such as ports.To protect the water quality and to respect the EU standards imposed by the Water Framework Directive, some EU Member States have taken initiatives to limit liquid discharges from scrubbers in


11 Nov 2018

Hong Kong, Taiwan to Meet Chinese ECA Requirements

While all eyes are on 2020 and the introduction of the IMO’s global sulphur cap, Hong Kong and Taiwan are aligning their emission regulations with the Chinese Emission Control Area (ECA) requirements and will implement a local 0.50% sulphur cap from 1 January 2019, said Gard.A release from the maritime insurer said that the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee’s 73rd session (MEPC73) has just ended, and with it, so did all speculations about a potential delay of the global 0.50% sulphur cap. The rules apply from 1 January 2020 - and they will be enforced.Hong Kong’s current Fuel at Berth Regulation requiring ships to burn fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.50% while at berth is soon to be replaced by one that will extend the standard to ships operating in Hong Kong waters


29 Jan 2019

Making a Difference: Interferry acts on industry’s major issues

Mike Corrigan is CEO of Interferry, the trade association that represents the worldwide ferry industry.

Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan reflects on the global trade association’s hectic year of involvement in three key areas of concern.Readers with long memories will have a strong sense of déjà vu when I say that safety, security and the environment are at the forefront of Interferry’s networking and lobbying mission right now. I highlighted the very same issues in this column last January, so let me explain why I’m not entirely repeating myself.It’s a fact of life that a lot can happen in a short space of time.

11 Feb 2019

ICS Hopes for Zero CO2 Fuels

International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) believes that the 2020 global sulphur cap will be the regulatory game changer of the decade with profound implications for the economics of shipping.However, there are even more profound changes to come. "We are rapidly moving into a multi-fuel future to be followed we hope, in the 2030s, by the arrival of commercially viable zero CO2 fuels suitable for global application,” says Esben Poulsson, Chairman of ICS.As the 1 January 2020 deadline for the sulphur cap approaches, ICS members reviewed progress in persuading the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) to take measures to address expected implementation problems.

03 May 2019

Study: EC Shipping Emissions Study Released

File image: AdobeStock / © dvigaro

Shipping emissions: International measures needed to cut operational greenhouse gas emissions of existing fleet by 2030 – new studyThe international shipping sector needs to quickly adopt short-term policy measures to cut operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the existing fleet, according to a new study. The study concludes that only a subset of potential policy options, namely those that mandate changes in how the existing fleet is operated can achieve the significant effect required to meet the sector’s emission reduction objectives.

14 Feb 2019

Schulte Group Acquires Stake in TecHullClean

“The underwater cleaning industry has historically been very fragmented, with small players offering inconsistent services," said Shaun Harbinson, Chief Commercial Officer, THC. "With the Schulte Group and the THC team combining their forces, we are able to expand our technology quickly into other regions.”

Schulte Group acquires TecHullClean to expand its range of IMO-compliant underwater inspection, repair and maintenance solutionsSchulte Group, Hamburg, Germany, acquired a majority stake in TecHullClean Limited (THC), a Singapore registered underwater inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) technology company headquartered in Singapore and Algeciras, Spain and with further subsidiaries in Spain, Gibraltar and Ghana.THC specializes in underwater hull cleaning, inspection and propeller


01 Nov 2018

GMN Promotes Technologies to Cut Shipping Emissions

Practical efforts to implement ship energy-efficiency measures and promote technology transfer are an integral part of International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s initial strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships.A press release from the UN-body said that this is embodied in the global network for energy-efficient shipping under the Global MTCC Network (GMN) project, funded by the European Union and run by IMO.Representatives from the five Maritime Technology Cooperation Centres (MTCCs) in the GMN network recently met for their second annual meeting (22-26 October) in London, United Kingdom, on the sidelines of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 73) meeting.Technical training for MTCC staff on energy efficiency in ship design and operations