A controversial proposal to include an “experience building phrase” which will ease the implementation of the IMO 2020 regulation on global sulphur emissions is unlikely to affect the text of the upcoming Marpol Annex VI regulation.
The idea tabled by Marshall Islands, Liberia, the Bahamas, Intercargo, Bimco and others was hotly debated at the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting yesterday. It was chaired by Hideaki Saito.
Some were concerned that the addition of an experience building phrase might delay implementation of IMO 2020 which requires ships to burn fuel of less than 0.5% sulphur content.
However the proposers insisted that the idea is not to seek to delay IMO 2020.
They said they are seeking data collection and analysis of issues like fuel availability and the suitability and safety new fuel with possible review of the regulatory framework.
The idea was given a major boost this week by the backing of the US.
Although the proposal gained support after sponsors stated they were not seeking to delay IMO 2020 the MEPC has decided not to relax the Annex VI regulation.
Instead IMO delegates were requested to provide proposals for the next MEPC meeting in May next year on how to enhance the provisions of the regulation with regard to fuel quality and non availability.
