MEPC 82: IMO chief assures timely progress on mid-term measures

The International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) has kickstarted its 82nd session (MEPC 82) in London today.

PHOTO: The opening session of the 82nd session of IMO's MEPC in London. IMO

In his opening remarks on the first day of the MEPC 82, Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez touched upon the Red Sea attacks that began in November last year, urging for a safer passage around the Red Sea. “The continued attacks on shipping in the Red Sea remain deeply troubling,” Dominguez said. 

He noted that these attacks not only endanger crew safety, “but also have far-reaching consequences for international shipping.”

Highlighting the key items of the agenda of MEPC 82, Dominguez said discussions will revolve around further developing the basket of mid-term GHG (greenhouse gas) reduction measures in the draft amendments of Annex VI of MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships). Annex VI prescribes a set of regulations aimed at reducing air pollution from ships.  

Dominguez expressed confidence in progressing on the draft amendments for mid-term measures that include a GHG fuel standard and a GHG pricing mechanism. According to the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, these mid-term measures are expected to be finalised by 2025. 

“I am encouraged by the commitment shown by all parties to bridge these differences, and I am confident that this will allow us to progress on draft amendments for both the GHG fuel intensity requirement and a GHG pricing mechanism, in accordance with the timelines we agreed here, which are set forth in the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy,” Dominguez said. 

Apart from the mid-term measures, Dominguez mentioned that the MEPC 82 will also review short-term GHG reduction measures like the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) regulation.

Dominguez said it was important to focus on these key objectives in “the final sessions of the Committee before the decision is made in autumn next year”. 

Pressure has been mounting on the IMO to stay committed to its timelines outlined in its 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.

Last week, shipping firms including A.P. Moller-Maersk, the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and other container liners urged IMO member states to stay committed to their agreed timelines for their mid-term measures. The consortium expressed concerns that if the mid-term measures are adopted next year, they would need to be implemented by 2027 leaving little time to achieve the IMO’s 2030 targets. 

The Clean Shipping Coalition, a global alliance of shipping industry experts and policymakers from the IMO and climate non-profits, also called upon the IMO to urgently act on its timelines.

The IMO’s MEPC 82 session will take place till Friday.

By Manjula Nair

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