IMO Secretary-General Says MEPC 69 Debate Post COP 21 Agreement Was "Constructive"

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim says MEPC 69 gleaned a "constructive debate" on ways that the organisation could best support goals outlined in the COP 21 agreement reached in Paris in December.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim Friday, in closing remarks at the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) 69th session (MEPC 69), said that the meeting gleaned a "constructive debate" on ways that the organisation could best support goals outlined in the COP 21 agreement reached in Paris in December.

Lim says that he expects further discussion on the topic at MEPC's 70th session (MEPC 70) in October.

Through MEPC's decision to approve mandatory requirements for ships to record and report their bunker consumption, Lim says that a message has been sent that the IMO is the appropriate international body to address international shipping's Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

"I am looking forward to the next session adopting the mandatory fuel consumption data collection system, which will be a milestone towards more important work envisaged at the second and third steps in the agreed three-phase approach," said Lim.

Concerning the Ballast Water Managment (BWM) convention, which still has yet to meet implementation requirements, Lim also welcomed the approval of draft amendments to the convention's regulation B-3, as well as additional sessions in order to expedite remaining work that must be completed.

"MEPC has responded to the concerns raised by the shipping industry. I therefore reiterate my personal request to Member Governments to accelerate the national ratification process in their countries without any further delay," concluded Lim, adding that "a mere 0.21 percent of the world's gross merchant shipping tonnage is needed – we are almost there!"

On Monday, Ship & Bunker reported that the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) joined other shipping groups in welcoming what it says is "significant progress" at MEPC 69.

However the Sustainable Shipping Initiative, along with green groups Transport & Environment (T&E), and Seas At Risk, said progress at MEPC 69 fell short of expectation.