IMO MEPC 81Meeting Content Report

The 81st session of the Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 81) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was held from 18th to 22th March 2024 at IMO headquarters in London.

The meeting focused on the review ofmandatory amendments, ballast water management, air pollution, ship energy efficiency, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction from ships, marine plastic litter, special areas, and designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs), among other topics.

Five working groups were established during the meeting:the Working Group on Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency (WG), the Working Group on GHG Emissions Reduction from Ships (WG), the Ballast Water Review Group (TG), the Drafting Group on Mandatory Amendments, and the Technical Group on PSSA Designation.

The meeting ultimately adopted/approvednine formal environmental resolutions, approved four circulars, and one draft convention amendment.

1. Overview of the meeting

1.1 Topics for focused consideration at the Conference

l Adoption of amendments to mandatory instruments

l Harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water

l Air pollution

l Energy efficiency of ships

l Reduction of GHG emissions

l Marine plastic litter

l Special Areas and PSSA Designations, etc.

1.2 Working groups established by the Conference

l Drafting group on amendments to mandatory documents

l Working Group on Ballast Water Review (TG)

l Working Group on Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency (WG)

l Working Group on GHG Emissions Reduction from Ships (WG)

l PSSA Designated Technical Group

2.Key business concern:

a. Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships: The main focus of this meeting is to assess the comprehensive impact of a package of midterm alternative measures. Midterm measures are planned to be adopted at MEPC 83 in 2025 and take effect in mid-2027.For details, please refer to Section 3.5 on GHG emissions reduction from ships.

b. Ship Energy Efficiency: The meeting reviewed existing measures such as the IMO Data Collection System (IMO DCS), existing Ship Energy Efficiency Index (EEXI), and Carbon Intensity Indicators (CII) regulations. It also passed amendments to the DCS, adding reporting items.For details, please refer to Section 3.4 on ship energy efficiency.

c. Ballast Water Management: The meeting approved guidance on the temporary storage of treated sewage and greywater in ballast tanks, with the effective date of related regulations to be determined.For details, please refer to Section 3.2 on ballast water management.

d. Designation of the Canadian Arctic Waters and Norwegian Sea as ECAs: Addition of the Canadian Arctic Waters and Norwegian Sea as Emission Control Areas (ECAs) for NOx, SOx, and particulate matter.For details, please refer to Section 3.7 on designation and protection of special areas, emission control areas, and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs).

3. Key agenda items of the meeting

3.1 Consideration and adoption of amendments to mandatory documents

3.1.1Ballast Water Convention Amendment (Use of Electronic Record Books) (MEPC.383(81)): This amendment adds a definition of electronic record books and revises relevant terms of the ballast water record book to allow for the use of electronic record books. The amendment will come into effect on October 1, 2025.

3.1.2MARPOL Convention Annex I Amendment (Container Loss Reporting Procedures) (MEPC.384(81)): This amendment adds a provision to Article 5 reporting procedures to clarify that in the event of a maritime container loss, the required reports should be submitted in accordance with SOLAS Convention Regulation V/31 (Dangerous Goods Notification) and V/32 (Information Required in Dangerous Goods Notification). The amendment will come into effect on January 1, 2026.

3.1.3MARPOL Annex VI Amendment (MEPC.385(81)): Revisions include low-flashpoint fuel sampling and sampling port arrangements, other fuel oil-related issues, marine diesel engine replacing steam systems, accessibility of IMO DCS data, inclusion of transport work data in IMO DCS, and raising granularity levels. The amendment will come into effect on August 1, 2025. Considering the integrity of CII data, for the amendment to MARPOL Annex VI Appendix IX regarding IMO DCS, it is suggested that countries implement it from January 1, 2025.

3.1.42024 MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 13.2.2 Amendment on Non-Identical Equivalent Diesel Engines Not Requiring Compliance with Tier III Limits (MEPC.386(81)): This amendment revises the 2013 guidelines (MEPC.230(65)), supplements cases of marine diesel engines replacing steam systems, and develops a template for reporting cases where installation of Tier III NOx-compliant non-identical equivalent engines is not feasible and Tier II engines are installed instead. Authorities discovering the infeasibility of installing Tier III NOx-compliant engines are invited to use the template specified in Appendix of this guideline to inform IMO of relevant decisions by August 1, 2025.

3.2 Harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water

3.2.1The meeting reviewed and approved the "Temporary Guidance for Ships Operating in Challenged Water Quality Ports under the Ballast Water Convention" (MEPC.387(81)), which provides guidance on how ships should comply with the requirements of the Ballast Water Convention when facing challenged water quality situations. This guidance includes instructions for competent authorities, Port State Control (PSC) inspections, ballast water management system manufacturers, etc., on how to deal with ships encountering challenged water quality. At the same time, it calls upon ballast water management system (BWMS) manufacturers to develop products capable of addressing challenged water quality, encourages shipowners and shipyards to invest in BWMS with more suitable and reliable performance, and urges ships to handle challenged water quality to the best of their ability, with bypass measures as a last resort.

3.2.2 The meeting reviewed and approved the "Guidelines for the Temporary Storage of Greywater and/or Treated Sewage in Ballast Tanks" (BWM.2/Circ. 82), which provide guidance for ships to temporarily store greywater or treated sewage in ballast tanks in areas where the discharge of greywater or treated sewage after processing by sewage treatment plants is restricted, allowing for normal discharge of such waters.

3.2.3 The meeting completed the review of Convention provisions and related documents under the Ballast Water Management Convention's Experience-Building Phase (EBP) to guide the next steps of the Convention review process. It was agreed to reconvene the Convention Review Correspondence Group and reviewed and approved its Terms of Reference (TOR).

3.2.4 Regarding issues related to the type approval of existing Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) after modifications, considering the urgency of the matter, it was agreed to temporarily revise the "Guidelines for Administrations on the Procedure for the Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems" (BWM.2/Circ.43/Rev.1) to ensure consistency in the approval process of modified BWMS by administrations. Proposals for specific amendments will be submitted to the next session for the completion of these guidelines.

As concerns regarding marine ecological environments continue to grow, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and port states have been increasingly enhancing and enforcing laws, regulations, and measures to prevent ship pollution. GMScare has obtained ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for its quality management system capabilities. In accordance with the requirements of relevant conventions, the laboratory provides sampling analysis and solutions for ships. For the commissioning test of ballast water management systems, the laboratory has promptly obtained certification qualifications from ten major classification societies ( CCS/NK/DNV/ABS/LR/KR/RINA/RS/CR/BV ). At the same time, our laboratory has completed annual testing requirements for over 2,500 vessels, involving annual monitoring of ballast water/greywater/desulfurization tower wash water/oily water as required by the United States Vessel General Permit (VGP), as well as testing of sewage and drinking water quality. GMScare always adheres to information-based and intelligent management, ensuring the independence, transparency, fairness, and tamper-proof nature of the laboratory data. Continuously building service platforms and establishing and improving global networks, the laboratory leverages the strong technical support of the group's ship engineering, providing customers with one-stop solutions and convenient and thoughtful services for safe and compliant ship operations.

3.3 Air pollution

The meeting reviewed and approved the MSC-MEPC joint circular on fuel sampling, providing guidance on sampling requirements related to the implementation of MARPOL Annex VI and SOLAS II-2 chapter. Subsequently, it will be further approved for emergency adoption by MSC108. Once in effect, it will replace the original MEPC.1 82(59 resolution "2009 MARPOL Annex VI Fuel Sampling Guidelines."

3.4 Energy efficiency of ships

3.4.1The meeting reviewed and approved the amendments to the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) Development Guidelines for 2022 (MEPC.388(81)) and the amendments to the Ship Fuel Consumption Data and Operational Energy Efficiency Verification Guidelines for 2022 (MEPC.389(81)), to align with the implementation of the IMO DCS amendment to MARPOL Annex VI Appendix IX. These amendments require the addition of the following reporting items in the DCS:

a. Fuel consumption of each fuel-consuming equipment (main engine, auxiliary engine, fuel boiler, and others);

b. Total shore power supply (kWh);

c. Fuel consumption of each fuel-consuming equipment (main engine, auxiliary engine, fuel boiler, and others) during non-navigation.

Ships subject to Regulation 28 of Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention should also report tonne-mile, teu-mile, and passenger-mile data for transport work, and container ships must report tonne-mile and teu-mile data simultaneously. These additional reporting items will come into effect on August 1, 2025, but to provide comprehensive data collection, it is recommended to add the above-listed monitoring items from January 1, 2025.

3.4.2 The meeting discussed the issue of unclear classification of LNG ships and gas carriers in the IMO Data Collection System (DCS) reports and agreed that under the ship data reporting (DCS) and CII framework, LNG ships should be reported uniformly according to the LNG ship category, regardless of their previous classification as gas carriers or LNG ships.

3.4.3 The meeting approved the amendments to the 2021 Power Limitation for Shaft/Engine to Meet EEXI Requirements and Reserve Power Usage Guidelines (MEPC.390(81)), which further detailed the requirements for the use of reserve power by ships in emergency situations. Additionally, in accordance with the decision of MEPC80, the meeting established and passed the procedure for administrations to report reserve power usage to IMO, which is intended to be published as Circular MEPC.1/Ciex.908.

3.4.4 The meeting reviewed and approved clarification proposals from China regarding the application of the EEDI stage requirements for five types of ships under Regulation 24 of MARPOL Annex VI, as well as two proposals clarifying the definition of heavy cargo ships in MARPOL Annex VI, which will be incorporated into Circular MEPC.1/Circ.795/Rev.9 for unified interpretation.

3.4.5 At the request of the 16th Greenhouse Gas Working Group, the meeting discussed and agreed to establish a post-meeting correspondence group to further work on issues such as methane, downstream segment (TtW) measurement and verification, and onboard carbon capture, and approved the scope and authority of this correspondence group.

3.4.6 The meeting discussed the discrepancy in the definition of capacity in the G1 and G5 guidelines related to CII. Subsequently, the IMO Secretariat will issue a corrigendum to correct the capacity definition in CII guideline G5 to align with the "Capacity" definition in guideline G1.

The WinKong Marine D-VESSELKEEPER ship management platform's energy efficiency monitoring system provides shipowners with a digital toolkit for managing CII and EEXI. It supports both manual entry of energy efficiency data for calculation and automatic acquisition of real fuel consumption data through the installation of retrofit mass flow meters. The system conducts dynamic energy efficiency calculations and analysis on the collected data, continuously providing efficiency optimization suggestions. Additionally, the system integrates fleet data dashboard functionality for centralized management of all fleet vessels' data and individual vessel data viewing.

3.5 Reduction of GHG emissions

3.5.1The meeting reviewed and approved the "Guidelines on the Full Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Intensity of Marine Fuels for 2024" (2024 LCA Guidelines) (MEPC.391(81)).

(Quoted from NK GHH Emission Reduction Report)

3.5.2To expedite further development of midterm measures, the meeting discussed and formulated a draft framework for amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, namely the IMO Net-Zero Framework draft. This draft encompasses elements such as greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI) targets, flexible implementation mechanisms, pricing mechanisms, income distribution management systems, and other related factors, as proposed in the current midterm measures suggestion schemes. This framework will serve as the basis for the specific text amendments to MARPOL Annex VI in the next phase of midterm measures.

Current major midterm economic measures include universal mandatory greenhouse gas taxes, payment and reward measures such as the Feebate mechanism, Green Balance Mechanism (GBM), Sustainable Fuel and Fund Mechanism (IMSF&F), among others.

Short-term measures for greenhouse gas emissions reduction mainly include existing Ship Energy Efficiency Index (EEXI), annual operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) ratings, and Enhanced Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans (SEEMP).

Mid-term measures for greenhouse gas emissions reduction mainly include greenhouse gas pricing mechanisms (economic elements) and target-based marine fuel standards (technical elements).

The convening of the 16th meeting of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse Gas Reduction in mid-March 2024 marked the formal shift of IMO's greenhouse gas reduction efforts towards mid-to-long-term measures.

Proposals for midterm measures are put forward by IMO member states and consultative organizations and systematically discussed within the framework of the Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse Gas Reduction. It is expected that the final proposal will be formulated at the MEPC83 meeting in spring 2025, and an additional special MEPC meeting will be convened in autumn 2025 for formal adoption.Some of the proposed measures are shown below:

Note: GFS, GHG Fuel Standard. The GHG Fuel Standard (GFS) reduces well-to-wake (WtW) greenhouse gas emissions by limiting the greenhouse gas intensity of various fuels used by ships and establishing well-to-wake benchmarks that do not result in emission increases along the fuel value chains. The emission reduction targets of GFS will take into account the average greenhouse gas intensity (GFl) of fuels currently used globally and the amount of greenhouse gas intensity reduction required to achieve the IMO's greenhouse gas reduction strategy goals.

GFl, GHG Fuel Intensity. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by any fuel used onboard ships, expressed as the mass of greenhouse gas emissions over the lifecycle, measured in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per unit of energy (gCO2eq/MJ).

The timeline for the implementation of the medium-term measures is shown below:

(Quoted from DNV website)

3.5.3With regard to the follow-up mechanism, the Meeting approved the following:

l Establishment of the Ship Fuel Full Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Intensity Working Group (GESAMP-LCA WG) under GESAMP, to review scientific/technical issues related to LCA, methods for quantifying emissions in LCA guidelines, sustainability themes/aspects, implementation certification in LCA guidelines, and to submit a report to MEPC 83 at the earliest opportunity.

l Authorization and scope of the 17th Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse Gas Reduction from Ships (ISWG-GHG17) meeting, to advance the review and formulation of candidate midterm measures proposals, development of LCA frameworks, and review and formulation of the scope and authorization of the fifth IMO greenhouse gas study, and to submit a report to MEPC 82.

l Organization of a two-day meeting for the fifth Greenhouse Gas Expert Working Group (GHG-EW5) to facilitate understanding of preliminary results of the comprehensive impact assessment of midterm measures and to submit a report to MEPC 82.

l Establishment of post-meeting correspondence group for LCA to further consider sustainability themes/aspects related to ship fuels and other socio-economic aspects, and to submit a report to MEPC 83.

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Currently, we have provided multiple independent or combined energy-saving and emission reduction retrofit services to several clients. These services include the installation of shaft generators, the retrofitting of ship hydrodynamic energy-saving appendages, VFD conversions, LED lighting updates, APM (Alternative Maritime Power) installations, and more.

3.6 PPRand other subcommittee reports

The Conference considered for approval the following documents:

l Recommendations for the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers (MEPC.1/Circ.909).

l Formats for mandatory reports under Article 12 of the Hong Kong Convention (MEPC.1/Circ.910).

3.7Designation and Protection of Special Areas, Emission Control Areas andPSSAs

The meeting approved the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI regarding Emission Control Areas (ECA), adding the Canadian Arctic waters and the Norwegian Sea as NOx, SOx, and particulate matter ECAs. For the Canadian Arctic ECA, it is proposed that all ships built after January 1, 2025, must comply with the Tier III NOx limits. For the Norwegian Sea NOx ECA, three date standards will be used: the contract date, keel laying date, and delivery date. These amendments are scheduled to be passed at the MEPC82 meeting.

Canadian Arctic Waters(from ABS MEPC 81 Brief)

Norwegian Sea waters(quoted from ABS MEPC 81 Brief)

If adopted at MEPC 82, the earliest effective date for the Canadian Arctic Waters ECA and the Norwegian Sea ECA would be 16 months later on March 1, 2026, under the MARPOL Convention.

Currently, MARPOL Annex VI designates the following ECAs: Baltic Sea, North Sea, North America, Caribbean Sea, and Mediterranean Sea (effective May 1, 2025)

4. Resolutions and announcements adopted by the Meeting

a. Resolution MEPC.383(81)

Amendments   to   the   international   convention   for   the   control   and management  of  ship ’ s  ballast  water  and  sediments,  2004  (use  of electronic record books)

b. Resolution MEPC.384(81)

Amendments to Protocol I of MARPOL concerning reporting procedures for the loss of containers

c. Resolution MEPC.385(81)

Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI concerning low-flashpoint fuels and other fuel oil related issues, marine diesel engine replacing steam system, accessibility of data and inclusion of data on transport work and enhanced granularity in the IMO ship fuel consumption database(IMO DCS)

d. Resolution MEPC.386(81)

2024 guidelines as required by Regulation 13.2.2 of MARPOL Annex VI in respect of non-identical replacement engines not required to meet the Tier III limit

e. Resolution MEPC.387(81)

Interim  guidance  on  the  application  of  the  BWM  Convention  to  ships operating in challenging water quality conditions

f. Resolution MEPC.388(81)

Amendments to the 2022 guidelines for the development of a ship energy efficiency management plan (SEEMP) (Resolution MEPC.346(78))

g. Resolution MEPC.389(81)

Amendments to the 2022 guidelines for Administration verification of ship fuel oil consumption data and operational carbon  intensity  (Resolution MEPC.348(78))

h. Resolution MEPC.390(81)

Amendments to the 2021 guidelines on the shaft/engine power limitation system to comply with the EEXI requirements and use of a power reserve (Resolution MEPC.335(76)), as amended by Resolution MEPC.375(80)

i. Resolution MEPC.391(81)

2024 guidelines on life cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels (2024 LCA Guidelines)

j. BWM.2/Circ.82

Guidance for the temporary storage of treated sewage and/or grey water in ballast water tanks

k. MEPC.1/Circ.908

Draft procedure for reporting to the Organization uses of a power reserve

l. MEPC.1/Circ.909

Recommendations  for  the  carriage  of  plastic  pellets  by  sea  in  freight containers

m. MEPC.1/Circ.910

Formats  for   mandatory  reports  under  Article   12  of  the   Hong  Kong Convention

5. MEPC 81follow-up workplan

5.1Approval ofISWG-GHG17intersessional meeting(September23-27,2024)

5.2Establishment of three communications groups:

l Communications Group for the Ballast Water Convention Review

l LCA framework for further development of communication groups

l Communications Group for Measurement and Verification of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Shipboard Carbon Capture

6.Outlook forMEPC 82

6.1Organization ofMEPC 82meetings

MEPC 82 Meeting Time: September 30 - October 4, 2024

6.2Prospects for the main sessions ofMEPC 82

l Approval of draft amendments for the Canadian Arctic waters ECA and the Norwegian Sea ECA.

l Final report on the comprehensive impact assessment of the package of midterm alternative measures, achieving the selection of economic and technical measures.

l Review of draft guidelines for cleaning up ship plastic pellet leaks.

l Release of the draft reference chart for Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) management plan.

l Completion of guidelines for type approval of existing Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) after modifications.

l Other pending topics...

7. Interpretation of classification society meetings

CCS：https://www.ccs.org.cn/ccswz/articleDetail?id=202403250870476189&columnId=201900002000000096

BV：https://marine-offshore.bureauveritas.com/sites/g/files/zypfnx136/files/media/document/BV%20Summary%20MEPC%2081.pdf

DNV：https://www.dnv.com/news/imo-mepc-81-negotiations-on-new-ghg-reduction-requirements-continue/

ABS：https://ww2.eagle.org/content/dam/eagle/regulatory-news/2024/ABS%20Regulatory%20News%20-%20MEPC%2081%20Brief.pdf

KR：https://www.krs.co.kr/TECHNICAL_FILE/IMO%20News%20Flash(E)%20MEPC%2081.pdf

LR：https://maritime.lr.org/MEPC-81-Summary-Report

References:

1. Interpretation of the CCS IMO MEPC 81 meeting

2. ABS MEPC 81 Brief

3. LR MEPC 81 Summary Report

4. NK Preliminary Report of IMO MEPC 81

5. In-depth series of research reports on the shipbuilding industry in China Shipping Securities