Support for including onboard carbon capture in IMO regulations  

IMO member states recognise the potential of onboard carbon capture and storage (CCS) to help reduce GHG emissions for international shipping, but when and how such technology may be included in the regulatory framework is not yet clear.

During discussions at the 80th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80), many spoke favourably about the potential role of onboard CCS technology, and want work to start as soon as possible to identify how such technology can be incorporated in so-called mid-term measures in the IMO’s GHG Strategy. Others, however, felt that given the early stages of development of onboard CCS technology, other items are more urgent.

Several documents on how to move forward were submitted to MEPC 80, including one from IBIA, MEPC 80/7/10, providing some technical information on shipboard carbon capture and an indication of its merits as a transition solution towards a net zero GHG goal for shipping. (Read our paper on THIS LINK)

In the end, MEPC 80 agreed that all the proposals related to the onboard CCS should be forwarded as a low-priority item to the 16th session of the Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 16), which is set to meet in April 2024, ahead of MEPC 81.

Development of candidate midterm measure(s), i.e. a fuel GHG intensity standard and some form of GHG emission pricing mechanism, will be top priority at ISWG-GHG 16.

The second item on the agenda for ISWG-GHG 16 is to further develop the LCA framework.

If time permits, ISWG-GHG 16 will consider the proposals related to onboard carbon capture and advise MEPC 81 on a way forward.