IMO takes next steps to deliver GHG strategy

The programme of follow-up actions is intended to be used as a planning tool in meeting the timelines identified in the initial IMO strategy, adopted in April 2018.

Commending the Committee’s approval of the programme of follow-up actions, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said the programme of follow up actions “sets a clear signal on how to further progress the matter of reduction of GHG emissions from ships up to 2023”.

Revised strategy

Feeding in to the process towards adoption of a revised Strategy in 2023 will be the data collection system on fuel oil consumption of ships over 5,000 gross tonnes, which begins on 1 January 2019; and a fourth IMO GHG study, to be initiated in the first half of 2019.

The programme of follow-up actions provides agreed timelines for specified streams of activity.

The Committee invited concrete proposals on candidate short-term measures to the next Committee session, MEPC 74 (May 2019), for consideration, as well as on the procedure for assessing the impacts on States; and also on candidate mid/long-term measures to MEPC 74 and MEPC 75.

Other items on the agenda for MEPC 73 include: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, further work on energy efficiency of ships, the implementation of the sulphur 2020 limit, marine plastic litter, ballast water management treaty implementation, the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil as fuel by ships in Arctic waters and draft MARPOL amendments for high-viscosity substances.

MEPC 73 was opened by Secretary-General Kitack Lim and is being chaired by Mr Hideaki Saito (Japan).