IMO's Environment Committee ignores Navel Intelligence report on Shipbreaking
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met from 31 March to 4 April, at the Royal Horticultural Halls, London to finalize and approve amendments to the MARPOL Annex VI regulations to reduce harmful emissions from ships, at its 57th session .
The Committee's agenda included the current draft of a proposed ship recycling convention and issues relating to the implementation of the 2004 Ballast Water Management Convention.
It was clear after the 4th April, 2008 that the shipowners in OECD countries who are using small countries like Liberia and Tuvalu to circumvent international and national laws that prevent them from sending dead toxic ships loaded with hazardous chemicals for dismantling to developing countries, such as India can continue in the business as usual fashion.
A Navel Intelligence report has raised the issue of security threat arising from unregulated shipbreaking in India. This has not merited the attention of IMO.
The naval report was submitted as part of a case in the Supreme Court on the environmental hazards of unregulated shipbreaking. The environment and forests ministry had gone on record to say that no intelligence agency had warned it of such threats specifically.
"The high stakes of profit margin, cheap labour, corrupt practices and a large floating population have made labour settlement at Alang (the biggest Asian shipbreaking yard, based in Gujarat) an ideal breeding ground for mafia and anti-national elements to indulge in nefarious activities almost unhindered," the report noted .
"Cash buyers operate hand in glove with the end buyers and owners by under-invoicing a deal. The unmentioned amount is transacted through the hawala route making almost 40-50% metal trade illegal," the report adds.
"Apparently, a large number of cash buyers are Pakistani nationals based in London and the UAE. Due to large profit margins, the Dawood group appears to have invested heavily in cash buyers thus having a stake in most deals," the report warns. India’s most wanted man, Dawood Ibrahim, is known to have many binami investments all over the world.
The security agency has pointed out, "can lead to clandestine collection of data, survey of seabed and coastal area, weather and meteorological data and for dropping and picking agents".
At present, 53 such 'dead ships' are beached at Alang in contravention of Supreme Court orders. The intelligence report mentions that the regulations allow such ships innocent passage through the entire stretch of Indian waters unscrutinised by the security agencies.
These ships include the following:
VLORA M.V. beached in Alang on 25th-Dec-2007 in the plot no. 84 of Diamond Industries (Ship Breaking Div. Owned by Ajay Jain
LEE M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-Nov-2007in the plot no. 84 A of Lucky Steel Industries owned by Arif Masani
SEE HOPE M.V. beached in Alang on 26th-Oct-2007 in the plot no. 88 of Atam Manohar Ship Breakers Pvt. Ltd owned by Munshiram Jain
AGIOS ISIDOROS M.V. beached in Alang on 26th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 91 of K.P.G. Enterprises owned by Rakesh Bansal
BOTSMAN MPSHKOV M.V. beached in Alang on 4th-May-2007 in the plot no. 1 of Bansal International Ltd.
BERGE ARROW M.V. beached in Alang on 5th-May-2007 in the plot no. 1 of Bansal International Ltd.
GAS TIGER M.V.beached in Alang on 31st-Dec-2007 in the plot no. 2 of Chaudhary & Chudhary owned by Mukesh Chaudhary
CHEM ASTRO M.V.beached in Alang on 26th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 3 of Kamdar & Associates
owned by Mishrilal Shah.
ILINSK M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Dec-2007in the plot no. 7 of Nagarsheth Ship Breakers
by Praveen Nagarsheth
ZINA PORT NOVA M.V.beached in Alang on 27th-Dec-2007in the plot no. 7 of Nagarsheth Ship Breakers by Praveen Nagarsheth
MOZDO M.V. beached in Alang on 25th-Dec-2007in the plot no. 8 of Ghasiram Gokalchand Shipbreaking Yard owned by Vishnu Gupta
VAGA M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 9 of Shree Ram Steel & Rolling Mill (Unit-II) owned by Mukeshbhai Patel
D.HAI M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 9 of of Shree Ram Steel & Rolling Mill (Unit-II) owned by Mukeshbhai Patel
SONS M.V. beached in Alang on 20th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 10 of Shree Saibaba Ship Breaking Company owned by Pawan Jain.
TIM M,V. beached in Alang on 21st-Dec-2007 in the plot no. 11 Gautam Ship Breaking Ind. Ltd. owned by Vinubhai.
HAMAD M.V.beached in Alang on 29th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 12 of Salgavkar Engineers P. Ltd.
ZHEN HUA-2 M.V. beached in Alang on 15th-Nov-2007 in the plot no. 13 of Baijnath Melaram
owned by Bhupendra Agrawal (Munnabhai)
ALMAHAD M.V. beached in Alang on 14th-June-2007in the plot no. 14 of Hariyana Ship Breakers Ltd. owned by Shantiswaroop Reinwal
SEA ANGER M.V..beached in Alang on 6th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 16 of Bhikamal Chhotelal
owned by Lallabhai Sheth.
SEA EXPLORER M.V. beached in Alang on 20th-Jan-2007 in the plot no. 18 of Mahavir Ship Breakers owned by Mukesh Jain
POWER M.V..beached in Alang on 8th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 19 of R.L.Kalathia Ship Breaking
P.Ltd. owned by H.L.Kalathia
MARIAM-VI M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Nov-2007in the plot no. 20 of Panchavati Ship Breakers owned by Mishrilal
HAJ MAHMOUD M.V. beached in Alang on 11th Nov-2007in the plot no. 20 of Panchavati Ship Breakers owned by Mishrilal
HERMES M.V. HAMAD M.V.beached in Alang on 23rd-Jan-2007 in the plot no. 21 of International Steel Corporation owned by G.M.Meghani
AKADEMIK ALESANDERSI DORE beached in Alang on 9th-Nov-2007 in the plot no. 24 of Alang Auto & Engineering Co. owned by Subodh Choudhary
BETA M.V. HERMES M.V. HAMAD M.V.beached in Alang on 23rd-Jan-2007 in the plot no. 24 Alang Auto & Engineering Co. owned by Subodh Choudhary
RYBAKIV ASHKI M.V.HERMES M.V.beached in Alang on 25th Dec. 2007 in the plot no. 25 of Bansal Ship Breakers owned by Raj Bansal
MYS SVOBODNYY M.V.beached in Alang on 25th Dec. 2007 in the plot no. 25 of Bansal Ship Breakers owned by Raj Bansal
GOLDEN GEMINI M. V. beached in Alang on 7th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 26 of Apollo Vikas Steel Pvt. Ltd. owned by Vinubhai Patel
NEORIVA M.V. beached in Alang on 11-Nov-2006 in the plot no. 32 of Samudra Alloys P. Ltd.
LUCKY M.V. beached in Alang on 5th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 33 of Madhav Steel Ship Breaking owned by Jivrajbhai Patel
XPRESS ALEXANDER M.V. beached in Alang on 20th-Apr-2007 in the plot no. 35 of Ganpatrai Jaigopal owned by Vipin Agarwal
SEA D/V. beached in Alang on 7th-Aug-2006 in the plot no. 36 of Shiv Ship Breaking Co. owned by Rameshbhai
GOLF M.V.beached in Alang on 6th-Jan-2007 in the plot no. 38 of Ghaziabad Ship Breakers
owned by Ramesh Choudhary.
NANKING M.V. beached in Alang on 25th-Dec-2007in the plot no. 39 of Gupta Steel Ship Breakers owned by Kpoor Bansal
WIND M.V. beached in Alang on 9th-Nov-2007 in the plot no. 40 of Shirdi Steel Traders
owned by Raj Bansal
ARBAT D/V. (TOW WIND) beached in Alang on 9th-Nov-2007 in the plot no. 40 of Shirdi Steel Traders owned by Raj Bansal
JTB TUG MAGNACNAM-CC 39201 beached in Alang on 24th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 42 of Virendra & Company owned by Bhogibhai Shah
MING XI JU M.V. beached in Alang on 20th-Feb-2007 in the plot no. 47 of Marine Lines (ShipBreakers) owned by Kamal Khemka.
ALMIS-I M.V. beached in Alang on 19th-Oct-2007 in the plot no. 50 of Husain Sheth Ispat (Ship Breaking)
DIAMOND M.V.beached in Alang on 23rd Oct 2007 in the plot no. 50 of Husain Sheth Ispat (Ship Breaking)
CASTOR M.V. (EX. BOWHERON) beached in Alang on 3rd-Mar-2007 in the plot no. 51 of Goyal Traders owned by Ravi Arya
P.EXPRESS M.V. beached in Alang on 5th-Jul-2007 in the plot no. 55 & 24 A of HATIM STEEL
ROSINIJ M.V. beached in Alang on 22nd-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 54 of Rushil Industries Pvt Ltd.
IRAN ADALAT M.V. beached in Alang on 18th-Apr-2007in the plot no. 57 & 24 C of Laxmi Steel Rolling Mills (UNIT-II)
ALAMOAJ M.V. beached in Alang on 13th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 58 & 24 D of Malvi Ship Breaking Company owned by Farukh.
OPAL M.V. beached in Alang on 17th-Feb-2007 in the plot no. 59 & 24 E of Y.S.Investments
Mr. Arif.
LADY M.V. beached in Alang on 17th-May-2007in the plot no. 62 & 24Hof Arya Ship Breaking Company Ltd. owned by Ravi Arya
CHEM PRINCE M.V. beached in Alang on 2nd-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 63 & 24J Bharat Ship Breaking Corporation owned by Nitin Kothari
EAST CARRIER M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 65 & 24L
Sachadeva Steel Products owned by Ashvinbhai Gujarati
BUKHTA GAYDAMAK M.V. beached in Alang on 3rd-Mar-2007 in the plot no 71 & 24S Jai Bajarang Ship Breakers Pvt. Ltd.
SONJ M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 73 & 24U of Pure Enterprise P. Ltd owned by Surendra Garg.
ANSOVY M.V. beached in Alang on 27th-Dec-2007 in the plot no. 74 & 24V of P.V.R Ship Breaking Co owned by V.P.Jain
KSUDOZHNIK IOGANSON M.V. beached in Alang on 18th-Feb-2007 in the plot no. 75 & 24W of Priyank Ship Breaking Co (P) Ltd owned by V. P. Jain
TELEDA M.V. beached in Alang on 16th-May-2007 in the plot no.77 & 24Y Ashwin Corporation by Vishnukumar Gupta
STOLT AVENIR M.V. beached in Alang on 23rd-Oct-2007 in the plot no. 78 &
24Z of Shri Ram Vessel Scrap owned by Mukesh Patel.
DEL-MAR M.V. beached in Alang on 25th-Oct-2007 in the plot no.81 of Shri Ram Vessel Scrap owned by Mukesh Patel.
CESCA M.V. beached on 24th-Nov-2007 in the plot no. 82 of Kiran Ship Breaking Company
owned by R.K.Jain(Billa Sheth)
DAFA M.V. beached in Alang on 6th-Feb-2008 in the plot no.81 of Mercury Marine Industries Pvt. Ltd. owned by Kamlesh Maru.
MEXICANA M.V. beached in Alang on 27th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 154 of Bansal Ispat Pvt. Ltd.
LILLY M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-Nov-2007 in the plot no.158 of Bansal Shipping P. Ltd.
AL SASANIYA M.V. beached in Alang on 3rd-July-2007 in the plot no. V-4 of Hariyana Ship Demolition P. Ltd owned by Rajiv Reniwal
GEOLOG M.V. beached in Alang on 13th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. V-5 of Mahavir Indecto Melt Pvt. Ltd woned by Kishor Bansal.
HORIZON-I M.V. M.V. beached in Alang on 13th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. V-7 of R.K.Industries (UNIT-II) owned by Mukesh Patel.
DPON M.V. beached in Alang on 23rd-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 103 Honey Ship Breaking Co.
MYS FRUNZE M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 103 of Honey Ship Breaking Co.
SAFY M.V.beached in Alang on 4th Dec 2007 in the plot no. 107 of Unique Ship Breaker Corp. by Sohilbhai
FORT M.V.beached in Alang on 17th-May-2007 in the plot no. 108 of Jay Bharat Steel Industries
owned by Ashok Bansal
ATLANTIC FOREST M.V. beached in Alang on 5th-May-2007 in the plot no. 109 of Rishi Ship Breakers
MADONA M.V. beached in Alang on 16th-Feb-2007in the plot no. 110 of Shiv Ship Breaking Company by Ramesh
MERCUR M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 111 of Shiv Ship Breaking Company by Haresh
ULLA M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-May-2007 in the plot no. 113 of Agrasen Ship Breakers
ALARABIA M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-October-2007 in the plot no. 114 of Rajendra Ship Breakers owned by Rajendrabhai Gupta
SANTO C M.V. beached in Alang on 19th-Oct-2007 in the plot no 115 of Kumar Steel "INDIA" owned by Tarachand Shah
ADIRA M.V. beached in Alang on 5th-Feb-2008 in the plot no 120 of G. K. Steel by Rupendra Gupta
HERA M.V. beached in Alang on 13th-Jan-2008 in the plot no 121 of Kutir Ispat Udyog owned by Ashok Jain
GORNYAK M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-Jan-2008 in the plot no 123 of Husain Sheth & Sons (Ship Breaker)
CLEO PATRA-I M.V. beached in Alang on 9th-June-2007 in the plot no. 125 of Maria Ship Breaking Pvt. Ltd owned by B. K, Agrawal / Mukeshbhai.
OM M.V. beached in Alang on 1st-Feb-2007 in the plot no. 127 of G. N. Ship Breakers owned by Balkrishna Agarwal.
PALLAD M.V. beached in Alang on 9th-May-2007 in the plot no. 131 of Sanjay Trade Corporation
owned by Rafiq.
ACRUI M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 132 of Harikrishna Steel Corp.
NAVIGATOR M.V.beached in Alang on 25th-Nov-2006 in the plot no. 133 Harikrishna Steel Corp.
AILA M.V. beached in Alang on 16th June -2007 in the plot no. 134 of Mayur Ship Corporation owned by Bharatbhai Dhameliya
MAKALU D/V. (TUG SEAWAYS-II) beached in Alang on 27th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 136 of M. V. Ship Trade Pvt. Ltd.
MEXICANA M.V. beached in Alang on 27th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 154 of Bansal Ispat Pvt. Ltd.
LILLY M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-Nov-2007 in the plot no. 158 of Bansal Ispat Pvt. Ltd.
BLUE LADY D/V beached in Alang on 15 August 2006 in the plot no. V-1 of Priya Blue Industries Pvt. Ltd. owned by Sanjay Mehta
AL SASANIYA M.V.beached in Alang on 3rd-Jul-2007 in the plot no. V-4 of Hariyana Ship Demolition P. Ltd owned by Rajiv Reniwal
GEOLOG M.V. beached in Alang on 13th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. V-5 of Mahavir Indecto Melt Pvt. Ltd. owned by Kishor Bansal
HORIZON-I M.V. beached in Alang on 29th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. V-7 of R.K.Industries (UNIT-II) owned by Mukesh Patel.
Note: The fraudulent misrepresentation of the ship owners and the ship-breakers has not been of any concern to the IMO although it means letting the current situation of contaminating the environment of Alang, Gujarat and endangering the life of the workers and communities in the ship-breaking industry continue.
"IMO environment meeting approves revised regulations on ship emissions"
Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) - 57th session: 31 March - 4 April 2008
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved proposed amendments to the MARPOL Annex VI regulations to reduce harmful emissions from ships.
The main changes would see a progressive reduction in sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions from ships, with the global sulphur cap reduced initially to 3.50% (from the current 4.50%, effective from 1 January 2012; then progressively to 0.50 %, effective from 1 January 2020, subject to a feasibility review to be completed no later than 2018.
The limits applicable in Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) would be reduced to 1.00%, beginning on 1 March 2010 (from the current 1.50 %); being further reduced to 0.10 % , effective from 1 January 2015.
Progressive reductions in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from marine engines were also agreed, with the most stringent controls on so-called "Tier III" engines, i.e. those installed on ships constructed on or after 1 January 2016, operating in Emission control Areas.
The revised Annex VI will allow for an Emission Control Area to be designated for SOx and particulate matter, or NOx, or all three types of emissions from ships, subject to a proposal from a Party or Parties to the Annex which would be considered for adoption by the Organization, if supported by a demonstrated need to prevent, reduce and control one or all three of those emissions from ships.
In the current Annex VI, there are two SECAs designated, namely, the Baltic Sea and the North Sea area, which also includes the English Channel.
Speaking at the close of MEPC, IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos praised the excellent progress made during the week-long MEPC session in IMO's long-standing efforts to limit and reduce pollution of the atmospheric environment and thanked and congratulated all the parties concerned (Member States and observer organizations) for their hard work and contribution to the results achieved.
"The fact that representatives of some 100 Governments were able to reach decisions by consensus on complicated issues of great importance to the environment not only bears testimony to the responsible manner with which the Members address environmental matters nowadays but also to the great results that can be achieved when States, with the same concerns and determination to produce meaningful solutions to global problems, work together under the auspices of IMO. The co-operation of the shipping industry and environmentalist groups has been of great value and I thank them for that. I am confident that, once adopted as amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, in the coming October, the new measures will prove extremely beneficial to the environment and I commend the Committee wholeheartedly for its achievement in developing them," he said. "It will certainly be one of IMO's finest hours when this happens six months from now", he added.
Mitropoulos also commended the progress in work on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from shipping operations, including the search for practical means to devise any mechanisms deemed appropriate to address this important issue. He welcomed the MEPC's endorsement of his proposal to expedite the Organization's related work, in particular, as regards the CO2 Emission Indexing Scheme and the CO2 Emission
baseline(s).
"I wish also to express our gratitude to Norway for offering to host an intersessional meeting of the GHG Working Group at the end of June, which will give us all the opportunity to further progress the work in hand and, with that goal in mind, I commend the efforts of the Working Group to seek agreement on global solutions to further develop the action plan approved by the Committee, identifying practical next steps that will facilitate the completion of the plan's three elements within the newly-agreed timelines. Of course, these are issues which, although complex and intricate in nature, are by no means impossible to resolve, especially with the constructive engagement we have witnessed here this week. In this regard, I am confident that, as we look beyond Kyoto, we should be able to put in place a robust regime that will apply fairly to shipping while, at the same time, achieving our main objective of protecting the marine and atmospheric environment," he said.
MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships entered into force in May 2005 and has, so far, been ratified by 49 countries, representing approximately 74.77% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping fleet.
The proposed draft amendments to Annex VI and the NOx Technical Code will now be submitted to MEPC 58 (which meets from 6 to 10 October 2008) for adoption, in accordance with an agreed timetable. This would see the revised Annex VI enter into force in 2010.
The work on greenhouse gases is scheduled for completion in 2009, in time for IMO to submit a position paper to the Copenhagen Conference (December 2009) called for by last year's Conference in Bali on climate change.
SOx and Particulate Matter (PM) emissions from ships
Following intense efforts to find a workable solution on a matter that had been highly controversial and the subject of extensive debate in its air pollution working group, the Committee agreed with a series of progressive standards in the amended regulation 14 Sulphur Oxides (SOx) and Particulate Matter (PM) that would result in significant reduction of SOx and PM emissions from ships.
The principal elements are as follows:
• the sulphur limit applicable in Emission Control Areas beginning on 1 March 2010 would be 1.00% (10,000 ppm), reduced from the current 1.50% (15,000 ppm);
• the global sulphur cap would be reduced to 3.50% (35,000 ppm), from the current 4.50% (45,000 ppm), effective from 1 January 2012;
• the sulphur limit applicable in Emission Control Areas effective from 1 January 2015 would be 0.10 % (1,000 ppm);
• the global sulphur cap would be reduced to 0.50% (5,000 ppm) effective from 1 January 2020, subject to a feasibility review to be completed no later than 2018. Should the 2018 review reach a negative conclusion, the effective date would default to 1 January 2025; and
• introduction of a fuel availability provision under regulation 18 Fuel Oil Availability and Quality that outlines what actions are appropriate should a ship be unable to obtain the fuel necessary to comply with a given requirement under regulation 14.
Meanwhile, the MEPC approved an MEPC.1 Circular containing Unified Interpretations related to the verification of sulphur content in fuel oil. The Unified Interpretations should be applied until the 2008 amendments to MARPOL Annex VI enter into force. The circular also gives, in an appendix, Fuel Oil Verification Procedure for MARPOL Annex VI Fuel Samples.
NOx regulations for new engines
The MEPC agreed amendments confirming the proposed three-tier structure for new engines, which would set progressively tighter nitrogen oxide emission standards for new engines depending on the date of their installation. Tier I applies to a diesel engine which is installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 2000 and prior to 1 January 2011 and represents the 17 g/kW standard stipulated in the existing Annex VI.
For Tier II, NOx emission levels for a diesel engine which is installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 2011 would be reduced to 14.4 g/kWh.
For Tier III, NOx emission levels for a diesel engine which is installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 2016 would be reduced to 3.4 g/kWh, when the ship is operating in a designated Emission Control Area. Outside a designated Emission Control Area, Tier II limits apply.
NOx standards for existing engines
The MEPC agreed a NOx emission limit of 17.0 g/kW for a diesel engine with a power output of more than 5,000 kW and a displacement per cylinder at, or above, 90 litres installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 1990 but prior to 1 January 2000.
NOx Technical Code
The MEPC approved draft amendments to the NOx Technical Code, to give a revised NOx Technical Code 2008. The draft amended NOx Technical Code, includes a new Chapter 7 based on the agreed approach for NOx regulation of existing (pre-2000) engines established in the draft amended MARPOL Annex VI.
The draft amended NOx Code includes provisions for direct measurement and monitoring methods, a certification procedure for existing engines, and test cycles to be applied to Tier II and Tier III engines.
Other matters
Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems
The MEPC also agreed, with a view to adoption by an MEPC resolution, the draft revised Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems. It was agreed to forward the interim washwater discharge criteria, to be included in the Guidelines, to the Joint Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) for its review and comment. The interim washwater discharge criteria will be revised in the future as more data becomes available on the contents of the discharged washwater and its potential effects on the marine environment, taking into account any advice given by GESAMP.
Halons
The MEPC approved a draft MSC-MEPC Circular on the decreasing availability of halons and forwarded it to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for consideration and concurrent decision. The circular notes the decreasing availability of halons for marine uses and requests shipowners, ship operators, shipping companies and all other interested entities to take appropriate action to reduce their reliance on halons.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Draft guidelines for the development of a VOC management plan were approved, with a view to adoption at MEPC 58. The purpose of the VOC Management Plan is to ensure that the operation of a tanker, to which regulation 15 of Annex VI applies, prevents or minimizes VOC emissions to the extent possible. Regulation 15 requires a Party regulating tankers for VOC emissions to submit a notification to the Organization, which should include information on the size of tankers to be controlled, the cargoes requiring vapour emission control systems, and the effective date of such control.
Liaison with ISO
The MEPC instructed the IMO Secretariat to invite the International Standardization Organization (ISO) to consider the development of a fuel oil specification addressing air quality, ship safety, engine performance and crew health, with recommendations for future consideration by IMO and, if feasible, to report back to the Committee at its 58th session in October.
Greenhouse gas emissions from ships
Reflecting the Committee's continuous determination to reduce green house gas (GHG) emissions emanating from shipping operations, the MEPC endorsed a proposal form the Secretary-General to expedite the Organization's work on GHG emissions, in particular as regards developing the CO2 (carbon dioxide) Emission Indexing Scheme and the CO2 Emission baseline(s).
The report of the intersessional Correspondence Group on GHG-related issues, which was tasked with discussing and compiling possible approaches on technical, operational and market based measures to address GHG emissions from ships, was considered, along with other relevant submissions from Member Governments and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO.
The MEPC agreed that a coherent and comprehensive future IMO regulatory framework on GHG Emissions from ships should be:
• effective in contributing to the reduction of total global greenhouse gas emissions;
• binding and equally applicable to all flag states in order to avoid evasion;
• cost-effective;
• able to limit - or at least - effectively minimize competitive distortion;
• based on sustainable environmental development without penalizing global trade and growth;
• based on a goal-based approach and not prescribe specific methods;
• supportive of promoting and facilitating technical innovation and R&D in the entire shipping sector;
• accommodating to leading technologies in the field of energy efficiency; and
• practical, transparent, fraud free and easy to administer.
The Working Group on GHG Emissions from Ships developed practical next steps covering the development of short-term and long-term measures to address CO2 emissions from ships. The next steps were approved by the MEPC.
Short-term measures include a proposal to establish a global levy scheme on marine bunker fuel to achieve GHG emission reductions. Under this scheme, all ships engaged in international voyages would be subjected to a bunker levy established at a given cost level per ton of fuel bunkered. With such a scheme in place, a baseline of fuel used and CO2 emissions would be obtained. The prospect of a global levy/credits scheme contributing to a GHG emissions reduction from ships was found promising, although it was noted that several aspects would need to be clarified and worked on, including:
• the practical implementation of a global levy scheme;
• who would collect the levies and how;
• how would the revenues be distributed;
• the relation with existing environmental levies and tax regimes in general;
• would there be enough Clean Development Measures1 to buy with the credits; and
• the potential for a modal shift in transport at the regional level.
Other short-term measures listed for further consideration include:
• improvement of specific fuel consumption;
• Energy Efficiency Design and Management Plan/Using a Test Mode for estimating CO2-index of new-build ships;
• onshore power supply;
• use of wind power;
• voluntary/mandatory requirements to report CO2 index values, information exchange/outreach and rating performance of ships and operators;
• strict limitations on leakage rates of refrigerant gases;
• vessel speed reductions;
• measures to improve traffic control, fleet management, cargo handling operations and energy efficiency.
Some of the measures could lead to immediate reduction of CO2 emissions and should be implemented as soon as possible. The MEPC endorsed the view of the Working Group that a resolution (to be adopted by the MEPC and/or Assembly), urging the shipping industry and other related entities to do so, should be developed at an intersessional meeting of the GHG Working Group to be held in Oslo, Norway, from 23 to 27 June 2008.
The longer-term measures identified by the Working Group and approved by the Committee for further development include:
• technical measures for ship design;
• use of alternative fuels
• a CO2-Design Index for new ships;
• external verification scheme for CO2 operational index;
• unitary CO2 operational index limit, combined with penalty for non-compliance;
• Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and/or Clean Development Mechanism (CDM); and
• inclusion of mandatory CO2 element in port infrastructure charging.
The Oslo intersessional meeting was instructed to further address market-based, operational and technical measures identified by the MEPC 57 Working Group on GHG-related issues, including:
• developing a CO2 Design Index for new ships with a view to approval at MEPC 58 and establishing the future use of this index, and its GHG reduction potential;
• reviewing the existing CO2 operational index guidelines (MEPC/Circ.471), with a view to finalization at MEPC 58 and, in particular, develop a methodology for a CO2 baseline in terms of efficiency; and consider the purpose of the CO2 operational indexing scheme;
• further developing mechanisms with GHG reduction potential for international shipping, inter alia: global levy/hybrid mechanism; Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) and/or Clean Development Mechanism (CDM); and reviewing best practices on the range of measures as identified by MEPC 57 and how they can be implemented by ship builders, operators, charterers, ports and other relevant partners to make all possible efforts to reduce GHG emissions, with the aim of developing a resolution, as appropriate, with a view to selecting the most promising measures for consideration at MEPC 58; and
• considering the level of reductions that can be achieved, addressing the design, implementation, cost-benefit and regulatory/legal aspects as well as the impacts for the shipping industry, the flag and port States and other stakeholders as appropriate, associated with each of these options.
The intersessional group will submit a written report to MEPC 58.
Other measures to reduce GHG emissions from ships will be considered by the Intersessional Correspondence Group on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships, which was re-established to report to MEPC 58.
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1 Refers to the so-called "Clean Development Mechanism" which is provided for under the Kyoto Protocol and allows for reductions in emissions to be "sponsored" in countries not bound by emissions targets. In simplified form, industrialized countries pay for projects that cut or avoid emissions in poorer nations and are awarded credits that can be applied to meeting their own emissions targets. Refer to: http://unfccc.int/2860.php
The Committee's agenda included the current draft of a proposed ship recycling convention and issues relating to the implementation of the 2004 Ballast Water Management Convention.
It was clear after the 4th April, 2008 that the shipowners in OECD countries who are using small countries like Liberia and Tuvalu to circumvent international and national laws that prevent them from sending dead toxic ships loaded with hazardous chemicals for dismantling to developing countries, such as India can continue in the business as usual fashion.
A Navel Intelligence report has raised the issue of security threat arising from unregulated shipbreaking in India. This has not merited the attention of IMO.
The naval report was submitted as part of a case in the Supreme Court on the environmental hazards of unregulated shipbreaking. The environment and forests ministry had gone on record to say that no intelligence agency had warned it of such threats specifically.
"The high stakes of profit margin, cheap labour, corrupt practices and a large floating population have made labour settlement at Alang (the biggest Asian shipbreaking yard, based in Gujarat) an ideal breeding ground for mafia and anti-national elements to indulge in nefarious activities almost unhindered," the report noted .
"Cash buyers operate hand in glove with the end buyers and owners by under-invoicing a deal. The unmentioned amount is transacted through the hawala route making almost 40-50% metal trade illegal," the report adds.
"Apparently, a large number of cash buyers are Pakistani nationals based in London and the UAE. Due to large profit margins, the Dawood group appears to have invested heavily in cash buyers thus having a stake in most deals," the report warns. India’s most wanted man, Dawood Ibrahim, is known to have many binami investments all over the world.
The security agency has pointed out, "can lead to clandestine collection of data, survey of seabed and coastal area, weather and meteorological data and for dropping and picking agents".
At present, 53 such 'dead ships' are beached at Alang in contravention of Supreme Court orders. The intelligence report mentions that the regulations allow such ships innocent passage through the entire stretch of Indian waters unscrutinised by the security agencies.
These ships include the following:
VLORA M.V. beached in Alang on 25th-Dec-2007 in the plot no. 84 of Diamond Industries (Ship Breaking Div. Owned by Ajay Jain
LEE M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-Nov-2007in the plot no. 84 A of Lucky Steel Industries owned by Arif Masani
SEE HOPE M.V. beached in Alang on 26th-Oct-2007 in the plot no. 88 of Atam Manohar Ship Breakers Pvt. Ltd owned by Munshiram Jain
AGIOS ISIDOROS M.V. beached in Alang on 26th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 91 of K.P.G. Enterprises owned by Rakesh Bansal
BOTSMAN MPSHKOV M.V. beached in Alang on 4th-May-2007 in the plot no. 1 of Bansal International Ltd.
BERGE ARROW M.V. beached in Alang on 5th-May-2007 in the plot no. 1 of Bansal International Ltd.
GAS TIGER M.V.beached in Alang on 31st-Dec-2007 in the plot no. 2 of Chaudhary & Chudhary owned by Mukesh Chaudhary
CHEM ASTRO M.V.beached in Alang on 26th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 3 of Kamdar & Associates
owned by Mishrilal Shah.
ILINSK M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Dec-2007in the plot no. 7 of Nagarsheth Ship Breakers
by Praveen Nagarsheth
ZINA PORT NOVA M.V.beached in Alang on 27th-Dec-2007in the plot no. 7 of Nagarsheth Ship Breakers by Praveen Nagarsheth
MOZDO M.V. beached in Alang on 25th-Dec-2007in the plot no. 8 of Ghasiram Gokalchand Shipbreaking Yard owned by Vishnu Gupta
VAGA M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 9 of Shree Ram Steel & Rolling Mill (Unit-II) owned by Mukeshbhai Patel
D.HAI M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 9 of of Shree Ram Steel & Rolling Mill (Unit-II) owned by Mukeshbhai Patel
SONS M.V. beached in Alang on 20th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 10 of Shree Saibaba Ship Breaking Company owned by Pawan Jain.
TIM M,V. beached in Alang on 21st-Dec-2007 in the plot no. 11 Gautam Ship Breaking Ind. Ltd. owned by Vinubhai.
HAMAD M.V.beached in Alang on 29th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 12 of Salgavkar Engineers P. Ltd.
ZHEN HUA-2 M.V. beached in Alang on 15th-Nov-2007 in the plot no. 13 of Baijnath Melaram
owned by Bhupendra Agrawal (Munnabhai)
ALMAHAD M.V. beached in Alang on 14th-June-2007in the plot no. 14 of Hariyana Ship Breakers Ltd. owned by Shantiswaroop Reinwal
SEA ANGER M.V..beached in Alang on 6th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 16 of Bhikamal Chhotelal
owned by Lallabhai Sheth.
SEA EXPLORER M.V. beached in Alang on 20th-Jan-2007 in the plot no. 18 of Mahavir Ship Breakers owned by Mukesh Jain
POWER M.V..beached in Alang on 8th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 19 of R.L.Kalathia Ship Breaking
P.Ltd. owned by H.L.Kalathia
MARIAM-VI M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Nov-2007in the plot no. 20 of Panchavati Ship Breakers owned by Mishrilal
HAJ MAHMOUD M.V. beached in Alang on 11th Nov-2007in the plot no. 20 of Panchavati Ship Breakers owned by Mishrilal
HERMES M.V. HAMAD M.V.beached in Alang on 23rd-Jan-2007 in the plot no. 21 of International Steel Corporation owned by G.M.Meghani
AKADEMIK ALESANDERSI DORE beached in Alang on 9th-Nov-2007 in the plot no. 24 of Alang Auto & Engineering Co. owned by Subodh Choudhary
BETA M.V. HERMES M.V. HAMAD M.V.beached in Alang on 23rd-Jan-2007 in the plot no. 24 Alang Auto & Engineering Co. owned by Subodh Choudhary
RYBAKIV ASHKI M.V.HERMES M.V.beached in Alang on 25th Dec. 2007 in the plot no. 25 of Bansal Ship Breakers owned by Raj Bansal
MYS SVOBODNYY M.V.beached in Alang on 25th Dec. 2007 in the plot no. 25 of Bansal Ship Breakers owned by Raj Bansal
GOLDEN GEMINI M. V. beached in Alang on 7th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 26 of Apollo Vikas Steel Pvt. Ltd. owned by Vinubhai Patel
NEORIVA M.V. beached in Alang on 11-Nov-2006 in the plot no. 32 of Samudra Alloys P. Ltd.
LUCKY M.V. beached in Alang on 5th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 33 of Madhav Steel Ship Breaking owned by Jivrajbhai Patel
XPRESS ALEXANDER M.V. beached in Alang on 20th-Apr-2007 in the plot no. 35 of Ganpatrai Jaigopal owned by Vipin Agarwal
SEA D/V. beached in Alang on 7th-Aug-2006 in the plot no. 36 of Shiv Ship Breaking Co. owned by Rameshbhai
GOLF M.V.beached in Alang on 6th-Jan-2007 in the plot no. 38 of Ghaziabad Ship Breakers
owned by Ramesh Choudhary.
NANKING M.V. beached in Alang on 25th-Dec-2007in the plot no. 39 of Gupta Steel Ship Breakers owned by Kpoor Bansal
WIND M.V. beached in Alang on 9th-Nov-2007 in the plot no. 40 of Shirdi Steel Traders
owned by Raj Bansal
ARBAT D/V. (TOW WIND) beached in Alang on 9th-Nov-2007 in the plot no. 40 of Shirdi Steel Traders owned by Raj Bansal
JTB TUG MAGNACNAM-CC 39201 beached in Alang on 24th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 42 of Virendra & Company owned by Bhogibhai Shah
MING XI JU M.V. beached in Alang on 20th-Feb-2007 in the plot no. 47 of Marine Lines (ShipBreakers) owned by Kamal Khemka.
ALMIS-I M.V. beached in Alang on 19th-Oct-2007 in the plot no. 50 of Husain Sheth Ispat (Ship Breaking)
DIAMOND M.V.beached in Alang on 23rd Oct 2007 in the plot no. 50 of Husain Sheth Ispat (Ship Breaking)
CASTOR M.V. (EX. BOWHERON) beached in Alang on 3rd-Mar-2007 in the plot no. 51 of Goyal Traders owned by Ravi Arya
P.EXPRESS M.V. beached in Alang on 5th-Jul-2007 in the plot no. 55 & 24 A of HATIM STEEL
ROSINIJ M.V. beached in Alang on 22nd-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 54 of Rushil Industries Pvt Ltd.
IRAN ADALAT M.V. beached in Alang on 18th-Apr-2007in the plot no. 57 & 24 C of Laxmi Steel Rolling Mills (UNIT-II)
ALAMOAJ M.V. beached in Alang on 13th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 58 & 24 D of Malvi Ship Breaking Company owned by Farukh.
OPAL M.V. beached in Alang on 17th-Feb-2007 in the plot no. 59 & 24 E of Y.S.Investments
Mr. Arif.
LADY M.V. beached in Alang on 17th-May-2007in the plot no. 62 & 24Hof Arya Ship Breaking Company Ltd. owned by Ravi Arya
CHEM PRINCE M.V. beached in Alang on 2nd-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 63 & 24J Bharat Ship Breaking Corporation owned by Nitin Kothari
EAST CARRIER M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 65 & 24L
Sachadeva Steel Products owned by Ashvinbhai Gujarati
BUKHTA GAYDAMAK M.V. beached in Alang on 3rd-Mar-2007 in the plot no 71 & 24S Jai Bajarang Ship Breakers Pvt. Ltd.
SONJ M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 73 & 24U of Pure Enterprise P. Ltd owned by Surendra Garg.
ANSOVY M.V. beached in Alang on 27th-Dec-2007 in the plot no. 74 & 24V of P.V.R Ship Breaking Co owned by V.P.Jain
KSUDOZHNIK IOGANSON M.V. beached in Alang on 18th-Feb-2007 in the plot no. 75 & 24W of Priyank Ship Breaking Co (P) Ltd owned by V. P. Jain
TELEDA M.V. beached in Alang on 16th-May-2007 in the plot no.77 & 24Y Ashwin Corporation by Vishnukumar Gupta
STOLT AVENIR M.V. beached in Alang on 23rd-Oct-2007 in the plot no. 78 &
24Z of Shri Ram Vessel Scrap owned by Mukesh Patel.
DEL-MAR M.V. beached in Alang on 25th-Oct-2007 in the plot no.81 of Shri Ram Vessel Scrap owned by Mukesh Patel.
CESCA M.V. beached on 24th-Nov-2007 in the plot no. 82 of Kiran Ship Breaking Company
owned by R.K.Jain(Billa Sheth)
DAFA M.V. beached in Alang on 6th-Feb-2008 in the plot no.81 of Mercury Marine Industries Pvt. Ltd. owned by Kamlesh Maru.
MEXICANA M.V. beached in Alang on 27th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 154 of Bansal Ispat Pvt. Ltd.
LILLY M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-Nov-2007 in the plot no.158 of Bansal Shipping P. Ltd.
AL SASANIYA M.V. beached in Alang on 3rd-July-2007 in the plot no. V-4 of Hariyana Ship Demolition P. Ltd owned by Rajiv Reniwal
GEOLOG M.V. beached in Alang on 13th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. V-5 of Mahavir Indecto Melt Pvt. Ltd woned by Kishor Bansal.
HORIZON-I M.V. M.V. beached in Alang on 13th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. V-7 of R.K.Industries (UNIT-II) owned by Mukesh Patel.
DPON M.V. beached in Alang on 23rd-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 103 Honey Ship Breaking Co.
MYS FRUNZE M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 103 of Honey Ship Breaking Co.
SAFY M.V.beached in Alang on 4th Dec 2007 in the plot no. 107 of Unique Ship Breaker Corp. by Sohilbhai
FORT M.V.beached in Alang on 17th-May-2007 in the plot no. 108 of Jay Bharat Steel Industries
owned by Ashok Bansal
ATLANTIC FOREST M.V. beached in Alang on 5th-May-2007 in the plot no. 109 of Rishi Ship Breakers
MADONA M.V. beached in Alang on 16th-Feb-2007in the plot no. 110 of Shiv Ship Breaking Company by Ramesh
MERCUR M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 111 of Shiv Ship Breaking Company by Haresh
ULLA M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-May-2007 in the plot no. 113 of Agrasen Ship Breakers
ALARABIA M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-October-2007 in the plot no. 114 of Rajendra Ship Breakers owned by Rajendrabhai Gupta
SANTO C M.V. beached in Alang on 19th-Oct-2007 in the plot no 115 of Kumar Steel "INDIA" owned by Tarachand Shah
ADIRA M.V. beached in Alang on 5th-Feb-2008 in the plot no 120 of G. K. Steel by Rupendra Gupta
HERA M.V. beached in Alang on 13th-Jan-2008 in the plot no 121 of Kutir Ispat Udyog owned by Ashok Jain
GORNYAK M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-Jan-2008 in the plot no 123 of Husain Sheth & Sons (Ship Breaker)
CLEO PATRA-I M.V. beached in Alang on 9th-June-2007 in the plot no. 125 of Maria Ship Breaking Pvt. Ltd owned by B. K, Agrawal / Mukeshbhai.
OM M.V. beached in Alang on 1st-Feb-2007 in the plot no. 127 of G. N. Ship Breakers owned by Balkrishna Agarwal.
PALLAD M.V. beached in Alang on 9th-May-2007 in the plot no. 131 of Sanjay Trade Corporation
owned by Rafiq.
ACRUI M.V. beached in Alang on 8th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 132 of Harikrishna Steel Corp.
NAVIGATOR M.V.beached in Alang on 25th-Nov-2006 in the plot no. 133 Harikrishna Steel Corp.
AILA M.V. beached in Alang on 16th June -2007 in the plot no. 134 of Mayur Ship Corporation owned by Bharatbhai Dhameliya
MAKALU D/V. (TUG SEAWAYS-II) beached in Alang on 27th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. 136 of M. V. Ship Trade Pvt. Ltd.
MEXICANA M.V. beached in Alang on 27th-Feb-2008 in the plot no. 154 of Bansal Ispat Pvt. Ltd.
LILLY M.V. beached in Alang on 28th-Nov-2007 in the plot no. 158 of Bansal Ispat Pvt. Ltd.
BLUE LADY D/V beached in Alang on 15 August 2006 in the plot no. V-1 of Priya Blue Industries Pvt. Ltd. owned by Sanjay Mehta
AL SASANIYA M.V.beached in Alang on 3rd-Jul-2007 in the plot no. V-4 of Hariyana Ship Demolition P. Ltd owned by Rajiv Reniwal
GEOLOG M.V. beached in Alang on 13th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. V-5 of Mahavir Indecto Melt Pvt. Ltd. owned by Kishor Bansal
HORIZON-I M.V. beached in Alang on 29th-Jan-2008 in the plot no. V-7 of R.K.Industries (UNIT-II) owned by Mukesh Patel.
Note: The fraudulent misrepresentation of the ship owners and the ship-breakers has not been of any concern to the IMO although it means letting the current situation of contaminating the environment of Alang, Gujarat and endangering the life of the workers and communities in the ship-breaking industry continue.
"IMO environment meeting approves revised regulations on ship emissions"
Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) - 57th session: 31 March - 4 April 2008
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved proposed amendments to the MARPOL Annex VI regulations to reduce harmful emissions from ships.
The main changes would see a progressive reduction in sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions from ships, with the global sulphur cap reduced initially to 3.50% (from the current 4.50%, effective from 1 January 2012; then progressively to 0.50 %, effective from 1 January 2020, subject to a feasibility review to be completed no later than 2018.
The limits applicable in Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) would be reduced to 1.00%, beginning on 1 March 2010 (from the current 1.50 %); being further reduced to 0.10 % , effective from 1 January 2015.
Progressive reductions in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from marine engines were also agreed, with the most stringent controls on so-called "Tier III" engines, i.e. those installed on ships constructed on or after 1 January 2016, operating in Emission control Areas.
The revised Annex VI will allow for an Emission Control Area to be designated for SOx and particulate matter, or NOx, or all three types of emissions from ships, subject to a proposal from a Party or Parties to the Annex which would be considered for adoption by the Organization, if supported by a demonstrated need to prevent, reduce and control one or all three of those emissions from ships.
In the current Annex VI, there are two SECAs designated, namely, the Baltic Sea and the North Sea area, which also includes the English Channel.
Speaking at the close of MEPC, IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos praised the excellent progress made during the week-long MEPC session in IMO's long-standing efforts to limit and reduce pollution of the atmospheric environment and thanked and congratulated all the parties concerned (Member States and observer organizations) for their hard work and contribution to the results achieved.
"The fact that representatives of some 100 Governments were able to reach decisions by consensus on complicated issues of great importance to the environment not only bears testimony to the responsible manner with which the Members address environmental matters nowadays but also to the great results that can be achieved when States, with the same concerns and determination to produce meaningful solutions to global problems, work together under the auspices of IMO. The co-operation of the shipping industry and environmentalist groups has been of great value and I thank them for that. I am confident that, once adopted as amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, in the coming October, the new measures will prove extremely beneficial to the environment and I commend the Committee wholeheartedly for its achievement in developing them," he said. "It will certainly be one of IMO's finest hours when this happens six months from now", he added.
Mitropoulos also commended the progress in work on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from shipping operations, including the search for practical means to devise any mechanisms deemed appropriate to address this important issue. He welcomed the MEPC's endorsement of his proposal to expedite the Organization's related work, in particular, as regards the CO2 Emission Indexing Scheme and the CO2 Emission
baseline(s).
"I wish also to express our gratitude to Norway for offering to host an intersessional meeting of the GHG Working Group at the end of June, which will give us all the opportunity to further progress the work in hand and, with that goal in mind, I commend the efforts of the Working Group to seek agreement on global solutions to further develop the action plan approved by the Committee, identifying practical next steps that will facilitate the completion of the plan's three elements within the newly-agreed timelines. Of course, these are issues which, although complex and intricate in nature, are by no means impossible to resolve, especially with the constructive engagement we have witnessed here this week. In this regard, I am confident that, as we look beyond Kyoto, we should be able to put in place a robust regime that will apply fairly to shipping while, at the same time, achieving our main objective of protecting the marine and atmospheric environment," he said.
MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships entered into force in May 2005 and has, so far, been ratified by 49 countries, representing approximately 74.77% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping fleet.
The proposed draft amendments to Annex VI and the NOx Technical Code will now be submitted to MEPC 58 (which meets from 6 to 10 October 2008) for adoption, in accordance with an agreed timetable. This would see the revised Annex VI enter into force in 2010.
The work on greenhouse gases is scheduled for completion in 2009, in time for IMO to submit a position paper to the Copenhagen Conference (December 2009) called for by last year's Conference in Bali on climate change.
SOx and Particulate Matter (PM) emissions from ships
Following intense efforts to find a workable solution on a matter that had been highly controversial and the subject of extensive debate in its air pollution working group, the Committee agreed with a series of progressive standards in the amended regulation 14 Sulphur Oxides (SOx) and Particulate Matter (PM) that would result in significant reduction of SOx and PM emissions from ships.
The principal elements are as follows:
• the sulphur limit applicable in Emission Control Areas beginning on 1 March 2010 would be 1.00% (10,000 ppm), reduced from the current 1.50% (15,000 ppm);
• the global sulphur cap would be reduced to 3.50% (35,000 ppm), from the current 4.50% (45,000 ppm), effective from 1 January 2012;
• the sulphur limit applicable in Emission Control Areas effective from 1 January 2015 would be 0.10 % (1,000 ppm);
• the global sulphur cap would be reduced to 0.50% (5,000 ppm) effective from 1 January 2020, subject to a feasibility review to be completed no later than 2018. Should the 2018 review reach a negative conclusion, the effective date would default to 1 January 2025; and
• introduction of a fuel availability provision under regulation 18 Fuel Oil Availability and Quality that outlines what actions are appropriate should a ship be unable to obtain the fuel necessary to comply with a given requirement under regulation 14.
Meanwhile, the MEPC approved an MEPC.1 Circular containing Unified Interpretations related to the verification of sulphur content in fuel oil. The Unified Interpretations should be applied until the 2008 amendments to MARPOL Annex VI enter into force. The circular also gives, in an appendix, Fuel Oil Verification Procedure for MARPOL Annex VI Fuel Samples.
NOx regulations for new engines
The MEPC agreed amendments confirming the proposed three-tier structure for new engines, which would set progressively tighter nitrogen oxide emission standards for new engines depending on the date of their installation. Tier I applies to a diesel engine which is installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 2000 and prior to 1 January 2011 and represents the 17 g/kW standard stipulated in the existing Annex VI.
For Tier II, NOx emission levels for a diesel engine which is installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 2011 would be reduced to 14.4 g/kWh.
For Tier III, NOx emission levels for a diesel engine which is installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 2016 would be reduced to 3.4 g/kWh, when the ship is operating in a designated Emission Control Area. Outside a designated Emission Control Area, Tier II limits apply.
NOx standards for existing engines
The MEPC agreed a NOx emission limit of 17.0 g/kW for a diesel engine with a power output of more than 5,000 kW and a displacement per cylinder at, or above, 90 litres installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 1990 but prior to 1 January 2000.
NOx Technical Code
The MEPC approved draft amendments to the NOx Technical Code, to give a revised NOx Technical Code 2008. The draft amended NOx Technical Code, includes a new Chapter 7 based on the agreed approach for NOx regulation of existing (pre-2000) engines established in the draft amended MARPOL Annex VI.
The draft amended NOx Code includes provisions for direct measurement and monitoring methods, a certification procedure for existing engines, and test cycles to be applied to Tier II and Tier III engines.
Other matters
Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems
The MEPC also agreed, with a view to adoption by an MEPC resolution, the draft revised Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems. It was agreed to forward the interim washwater discharge criteria, to be included in the Guidelines, to the Joint Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) for its review and comment. The interim washwater discharge criteria will be revised in the future as more data becomes available on the contents of the discharged washwater and its potential effects on the marine environment, taking into account any advice given by GESAMP.
Halons
The MEPC approved a draft MSC-MEPC Circular on the decreasing availability of halons and forwarded it to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for consideration and concurrent decision. The circular notes the decreasing availability of halons for marine uses and requests shipowners, ship operators, shipping companies and all other interested entities to take appropriate action to reduce their reliance on halons.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Draft guidelines for the development of a VOC management plan were approved, with a view to adoption at MEPC 58. The purpose of the VOC Management Plan is to ensure that the operation of a tanker, to which regulation 15 of Annex VI applies, prevents or minimizes VOC emissions to the extent possible. Regulation 15 requires a Party regulating tankers for VOC emissions to submit a notification to the Organization, which should include information on the size of tankers to be controlled, the cargoes requiring vapour emission control systems, and the effective date of such control.
Liaison with ISO
The MEPC instructed the IMO Secretariat to invite the International Standardization Organization (ISO) to consider the development of a fuel oil specification addressing air quality, ship safety, engine performance and crew health, with recommendations for future consideration by IMO and, if feasible, to report back to the Committee at its 58th session in October.
Greenhouse gas emissions from ships
Reflecting the Committee's continuous determination to reduce green house gas (GHG) emissions emanating from shipping operations, the MEPC endorsed a proposal form the Secretary-General to expedite the Organization's work on GHG emissions, in particular as regards developing the CO2 (carbon dioxide) Emission Indexing Scheme and the CO2 Emission baseline(s).
The report of the intersessional Correspondence Group on GHG-related issues, which was tasked with discussing and compiling possible approaches on technical, operational and market based measures to address GHG emissions from ships, was considered, along with other relevant submissions from Member Governments and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO.
The MEPC agreed that a coherent and comprehensive future IMO regulatory framework on GHG Emissions from ships should be:
• effective in contributing to the reduction of total global greenhouse gas emissions;
• binding and equally applicable to all flag states in order to avoid evasion;
• cost-effective;
• able to limit - or at least - effectively minimize competitive distortion;
• based on sustainable environmental development without penalizing global trade and growth;
• based on a goal-based approach and not prescribe specific methods;
• supportive of promoting and facilitating technical innovation and R&D in the entire shipping sector;
• accommodating to leading technologies in the field of energy efficiency; and
• practical, transparent, fraud free and easy to administer.
The Working Group on GHG Emissions from Ships developed practical next steps covering the development of short-term and long-term measures to address CO2 emissions from ships. The next steps were approved by the MEPC.
Short-term measures include a proposal to establish a global levy scheme on marine bunker fuel to achieve GHG emission reductions. Under this scheme, all ships engaged in international voyages would be subjected to a bunker levy established at a given cost level per ton of fuel bunkered. With such a scheme in place, a baseline of fuel used and CO2 emissions would be obtained. The prospect of a global levy/credits scheme contributing to a GHG emissions reduction from ships was found promising, although it was noted that several aspects would need to be clarified and worked on, including:
• the practical implementation of a global levy scheme;
• who would collect the levies and how;
• how would the revenues be distributed;
• the relation with existing environmental levies and tax regimes in general;
• would there be enough Clean Development Measures1 to buy with the credits; and
• the potential for a modal shift in transport at the regional level.
Other short-term measures listed for further consideration include:
• improvement of specific fuel consumption;
• Energy Efficiency Design and Management Plan/Using a Test Mode for estimating CO2-index of new-build ships;
• onshore power supply;
• use of wind power;
• voluntary/mandatory requirements to report CO2 index values, information exchange/outreach and rating performance of ships and operators;
• strict limitations on leakage rates of refrigerant gases;
• vessel speed reductions;
• measures to improve traffic control, fleet management, cargo handling operations and energy efficiency.
Some of the measures could lead to immediate reduction of CO2 emissions and should be implemented as soon as possible. The MEPC endorsed the view of the Working Group that a resolution (to be adopted by the MEPC and/or Assembly), urging the shipping industry and other related entities to do so, should be developed at an intersessional meeting of the GHG Working Group to be held in Oslo, Norway, from 23 to 27 June 2008.
The longer-term measures identified by the Working Group and approved by the Committee for further development include:
• technical measures for ship design;
• use of alternative fuels
• a CO2-Design Index for new ships;
• external verification scheme for CO2 operational index;
• unitary CO2 operational index limit, combined with penalty for non-compliance;
• Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and/or Clean Development Mechanism (CDM); and
• inclusion of mandatory CO2 element in port infrastructure charging.
The Oslo intersessional meeting was instructed to further address market-based, operational and technical measures identified by the MEPC 57 Working Group on GHG-related issues, including:
• developing a CO2 Design Index for new ships with a view to approval at MEPC 58 and establishing the future use of this index, and its GHG reduction potential;
• reviewing the existing CO2 operational index guidelines (MEPC/Circ.471), with a view to finalization at MEPC 58 and, in particular, develop a methodology for a CO2 baseline in terms of efficiency; and consider the purpose of the CO2 operational indexing scheme;
• further developing mechanisms with GHG reduction potential for international shipping, inter alia: global levy/hybrid mechanism; Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) and/or Clean Development Mechanism (CDM); and reviewing best practices on the range of measures as identified by MEPC 57 and how they can be implemented by ship builders, operators, charterers, ports and other relevant partners to make all possible efforts to reduce GHG emissions, with the aim of developing a resolution, as appropriate, with a view to selecting the most promising measures for consideration at MEPC 58; and
• considering the level of reductions that can be achieved, addressing the design, implementation, cost-benefit and regulatory/legal aspects as well as the impacts for the shipping industry, the flag and port States and other stakeholders as appropriate, associated with each of these options.
The intersessional group will submit a written report to MEPC 58.
Other measures to reduce GHG emissions from ships will be considered by the Intersessional Correspondence Group on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships, which was re-established to report to MEPC 58.
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1 Refers to the so-called "Clean Development Mechanism" which is provided for under the Kyoto Protocol and allows for reductions in emissions to be "sponsored" in countries not bound by emissions targets. In simplified form, industrialized countries pay for projects that cut or avoid emissions in poorer nations and are awarded credits that can be applied to meeting their own emissions targets. Refer to: http://unfccc.int/2860.php
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