The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) is set to convene its 82nd meeting from September 30 to October 4, 2024, at IMO headquarters in London. This crucial session will tackle various environmental issues affecting the global shipping industry, with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, managing ballast water, and combating underwater noise pollution. Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez highlighted security concerns in the Red Sea, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to address attacks on shipping that endanger seafarers and the industry.
Key discussions at the MEPC will revolve around proposed amendments to Annex VI of MARPOL, aiming to implement medium-term measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The ultimate goal is to achieve net-zero emissions in international shipping by 2050, aligning with the IMO Strategy for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships 2023. Dominguez expressed optimism about bridging differences and advancing draft amendments to greenhouse gas intensity requirements and pricing mechanisms while urging stakeholders to prioritize collaboration and compromise to achieve common objectives.
Further topics on the agenda include short-term measures like the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) regulations, new emissions control areas in regions such as the Canadian Arctic Waters and Norwegian Sea, and proposals to designate sensitive marine areas like the Nusa Penida Islands and Gili Matra Islands. The outcomes of MEPC 82 are anticipated to influence global shipping practices and environmental protection efforts, with implications for sustainability and industry best practices.
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