IMO updates January 2024
MEPC 81/INF.12 (IBIA) Sampling of low-flashpoint fuels supplied to ships for use on board as fuel (MEPC 81, 18 to 22 March 2024) This document provides information on a method developed for the sampling of low-flashpoint fuels (methanol) supplied to ships for use on board as fuel. The proposed method seeks to address the critical need for safety and efficiency in handling low flashpoint fuels during bunkering operations.
IBIA has agreed to co-sponsor, with 25 other co-sponsors, a submission to MEPC 81 proposing the establishment of an IMO Expert Group on Life-cycle Assessment of Marine Fuels (LCA). This was a recommendation from the Correspondence Group on LCA that IBIA has participated in.
IMO meetings attended by IBIA
IBIA attended the Ad-hoc Expert Workshop on the life cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels (GHG-EW 4) held on 14 & 15 December 2023. A report by the IMO Secretariat of the meeting is expected to be issued. Members wishing to receive the report when available should contact Edmund Hughes.
Looking ahead
11th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Pollution, Prevention and Response (PPR 11)
19 to 23 February 2024
Key items under discussion to include: possible further regulation of wash water discharges from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) and guidance for control of Black Carbon emissions.
Other IMO activities
The new Secretary-General, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, will hold a briefing on 31 January 2024 for observer organisations (intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations). IBIA will attend.
IMO’s comprehensive impact assessment to inform development of the basket of mid-term GHG emission reduction measures to be adopted by IMO in 2025
Task 2: Impacts on the fleet. DNV has been awarded a contract by the IMO to conduct the assessment of the impacts on the fleet resulting from the proposed technical and economic GHG emission reduction measures. This includes impacts on fuel use, fuel efficiency, uptake of emission reduction options and costs to 2050. The outcomes of this assessment will be used by UNCTAD to assess impacts on States.