The Committee adopted amendments to the MARPOL Convention to set a date for the implementation of "Tier III" standards within emission control areas (ECAs) and to make the IMO Member State Audit Scheme mandatory; reviewed environmental provisions in the draft Polar Code and associated draft amendments to make the Code mandatory, and discussed the implementation of energy-efficiency regulations and the Ballast Water Management and Ship Recycling Conventions.
Amendment on implementation date for Tier III adopted
The MEPC adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, regulation 13, on Nitrogen Oxides (NOX), concerning the date for the implementation of "Tier III" standards within emission control areas (ECAs).
The amendments provide for the Tier III NOx standards to be applied to a marine diesel engine that is installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 2016 and which operates in the North American Emission Control Area or the U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area that are designated for the control of NOx emissions.
In addition, the Tier III requirements would apply to installed marine diesel engines when operated in other emission control areas which might be designated in the future for Tier III NOx control. Tier III would apply to ships constructed on or after the date of adoption by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of such an emission control area, or a later date as may be specified in the amendment designating the NOx Tier III emission control area.
Further, the Tier III requirements do not apply to a marine diesel engine installed on a ship constructed prior to 1 January 2021 of less than 500 gross tonnage, of 24 m or over in length, which has been specifically designed and is used solely, for recreational purposes.
The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 September 2015.
NOX control requirements apply to installed marine diesel engines of over 130 kW output power, and different levels (Tiers) of control apply based on the ship construction date. Outside emission control areas designated for NOx control, "Tier II" controls, required for marine diesel engines installed on ships constructed on or after 1 January 2011, apply.
Amendments to MARPOL to make auditing mandatory adopted
The MEPC adopted amendments to MARPOL Annexes I through to VI to make the use of the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) mandatory. The amendments add definitions and regulations relating to "verification of compliance", thereby making the IMO Audit Scheme mandatory under MARPOL.
The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2016.
The III Code was adopted by the IMO Assembly in 2013. Similar amendments to other IMO treaties are also in the process of being adopted, to make the Audit Scheme mandatory once the relevant amendments enter into force in 2016.