What's new with SOLAS 2024
SOLAS 2024 amendments, that driven by MSC 105, and which will take into effect on 1st Jan. 2024, contains the changes that have been adopted for the 2024 update of SOLAS and its associated Codes. A set of amendments to SOLAS and the associated Codes has been brake down for earlier pre-notation within maritime sector.
A Brief on MEPC 78
The IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) held its 78th session from June 6 to 10, 2022. A brief outcome of the meeting published in the current article as a general reference.
Commissioning Testing of Ballast Water Management System
The purpose of commissioning testing is to validate the installation of a ballast water management system (BWMS) by demonstrating that its mechanical, physical, chemical and biological processes are working properly.
Commissioning testing is not intended to validate the design of type-approved BWMS that are approved by the Administration. This article is prepared based on the 2020 Guidance for the commissioning testing of ballast water management systems.
Ballast Water Management Convention
Following the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the IMO initiated negotiations to consider the possibilities of developing an internationally binding instrument to address the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens in ships’ ballast water. From 1999 onwards, the Ballast Water Working Group, established by the MEPC in 1994, focused on the preparation of a free-standing Convention on control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments. Finally, on the basis on these measures, The BWM convention adopted in 2004.
Ban on Use of Anti-Fouling Systems Containing Cybutryne
At its seventy-first session in July 2017, MEPC approved a new output to amend Annex 1 to the AFS Convention to include controls on cybutryne. While work on this matter is ongoing in the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR), the scientific data presented so far indicates that cybutryne causes significant adverse effects to the environment, especially to aquatic ecosystems.
Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) Technical File
The goal of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent until 2030 and subsequently by another 50 percent until 2050. To achieve these targets, the "Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index" (EEXI) will come into force in June 2021 and will apply to all vessels over 400 GT under MARPOL Annex VI from 2023 onwards.
Fuel oil sampling and verification
During the 75th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC75) held in November 2020, An amendment to MARPOL Annex VI related to new requirement in relation to the fuel oil sampling and verification procedures for the sulphur content, adopted. These amendments are scheduled to enter into force on 1 April 2022.
Operational Carbon Intensity Indicators (CII)
Refer to the MEPC 76, some amendments on MARPOL annex VI and technical guidelines in relation to the operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) annual rating scheme adopted.
Structure of IMO
In 1948 an international conference in Geneva adopted a convention formally establishing IMO (the original name was the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization, or IMCO, but the name was changed in 1982 to IMO).
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