Intertanko Environmental Committee News

It’s a concept that has sparked a multitude of papers, essays and analysis, yet the notion of sustainable development has still to be fully recognized by the maritime world. Or has it? Invasive species, harmful anti-fouling paints and the dismantling of ships on the beaches of developing countries are just a part of a long list of environmental concerns that the maritime world is faced with. What is not illustrated by such a list is the interaction of each of the areas of concern when it comes to resolving their environmental impacts. One issue cannot be resolved without the consideration of the potential implication to all the other issues.

INTERTANKO welcomes the IMO Assembly’s decision to develop mandatory measures on ship recycling. We will continue to provide support and guidance (from our members as well as from our secretariat) to the IMO during the development of the legally binding instrument, as we have done to MEPC 53 during the development of the Industry Code of Practice on Ship Recycling and the IMO’s Guidelines on Ship Recycling. As part of the ongoing effort to alleviate through international regulation the current environmental and worker health and safety problems at ship recycling facilities, INTERTANKO’s members will be able to offer feedback based on practical, hands-on experience gained by the actual implementation of these Guidelines and the Code of Practice.

The third meeting of INTERTANKO’s Latin American Panel convened in Miami on July 24 to discuss a wide-ranging agenda. Capt. Howard Snaith updated the Panel on recent changes and increased activity on issues concerning chemical tankers within the Association and further reported on recent discussions at MEPC 49, which culminated in a compromise proposal for revisions of MARPOL Annex II. Of particular interest to the region, it was reported that Brazil had signed an agreement for the use of CDI reports for Port State Control purposes. It was agreed that INTERTANKO would encourage other countries in the region to use both CDI and SIRE reports, either through the Viña del Mar - the Latin American Agreement on Port State Control - or by direct contact with maritime authorities in each country.

American Panel covered a wide-ranging and ambitious agenda. topics. Capt. in a compromise proposal for revisions of MARPOL Annex II. agreement for the use of CDI reports for Port State Control purposes. with maritime authorities in each country. world wide, the Panel was eager to hear the latest news from Venezuela. due to last minute changes in their schedule but Mr. able to summarise the current situation in the country. slowly recovering normal functionality. less operating at full capacity. for a longer period than necessary. double-check and re-confirm existing information and contacts. re-structured both on a functional and geographical level. Managing Director, Dr. previous week. and engaged in discussions to seek clarification on several issues.

Last week the International Maritime Organization came a step closer in the completion of the long awaited international Convention on the control of Harmful Organisms in Ships' Ballast Water. Intertanko participated at the specially convened meeting of the Ballast Water Working Group where over 180 delegates representing member states and NGOs upheld the IMO's spirit of compromise in discussing and agreeing on some of the main principles of this difficult Convention. The nature of the ballast water problem has meant that new ground has had to be broken by the IMO in taking into account absolute levels of control to ensure effective regulations which would cope with the science of biology - past Conventions have mainly focused on the chemical and physical aspects of marine pollution.

In Hong Kong on November 6, INTERTANKO's Environmental Committee Chairman, Doctor Paolo d'Amico, announced the launch of the INTERTANKO Environmental Challenge. A number of major issues and concerns that continue to face the tanker industry, and which are high on the agenda of national governments, environmental organisations, the public at large and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), have been identified by the INTERTANKO Environmental Committee. The aim is to promote and then reward through extensive worldwide publicity, cost-effective, practical solutions to the identified issues and concerns that represent significant breakthroughs.