Report of MEPC 76 meeting - 10 to 17 June 2021

The MEPC 76 has been a meeting of great importance for the implementation of the IMO initial strategy for reduction of GHG.

The following decision pertaining to this domain have been taken :

MEPC 76 adopted :

• Resolution MEPC.xxx(76) amending MARPOL Annex VI concerning mandatory goal-based technical and operational measures to reduce carbon intensity of international shipping (EEXI and CII) (item 3) ;

Following the work carried out by correspondence group and ISWG GHG 8, MEPC 76 has adopted technical guidelines supporting the EEXI framework:

• resolution MEPC.xxx(76) - 2021 Guidelines on the method of calculation of the attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) (item 7.2);
• resolution MEPC.xxx(76) - 2021 Guidelines on survey and certification of the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) (item 7.2);
• resolution MEPC.xxx(76) - 2021 Guidelines on the shaft/engine power limitation system to comply with the EEXI requirements and use of a power reserve(item 7.2);

MEPC 76, finalizing the draft technical guidelines supporting the CII framework, has adopted :

• resolution MEPC.xxx(76) - 2021 guidelines on operational  carbon intensity indicators and the calculation methods (CII Guidelines, G1) (item 7.2);
• resolution MEPC.xxx(76) - 2021 guidelines on the reference lines for use with operational carbon intensity indicators (CII reference lines guidelines, G2) (item 7.2);
• resolution MEPC.xxx(76) - 2021 guidelines on the operational carbon intensity reduction factors relative to reference lines (CII reduction factor guidelines, G3) (item 7.2) ;
• resolution MEPC.xxx(76) - 2021 guidelines on the operational carbon intensity rating of ships (CII rating guidelines, G4) (item 7.2).

MEPC 76 :

• reaffirmed, in line with the Procedure for assessing impacts on States of candidate measures (MEPC.1/Circ.885), keeping the implementation and impacts of the short-term measure under review, so that any necessary adjustments may be made (item 7.1) ;
• agreed that a lessons-learned exercise should be undertaken to draw lessons from the comprehensive impact assessment of the short-term measure for the conduct of future impact assessments (item 7.1);
• approved the work plan as set out in annex IV of this report, and requested ISWG-GHG 9 to use the work plan as a basis and a guidance for its further work on the consideration of concrete proposals for mid- and long-term measures (item 7.4).

Due to lack of time, MEPC 76 could not finish the full consideration of the revised IMRB proposal and agreed that the discussion would be resumed at its next session (item 7.2). But it noted the proposal for a market-based measure based on a mandatory carbon levy and the diverging views expressed regarding the proposal, and agreed to further consider it, together with other future proposals for mid-term measures, at ISWG-GHG 9 and MEPC 77, in the context of phase I of the work plan (item 7.5).

MEPC 76 agreed to re-establish the Correspondence Group on Carbon Intensity Reduction and its draft terms of reference as well as the holding of the ninth and tenth meetings of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions of Ships (ISWG GHG 9 and ISWG GHG 10).

Concerning the other issues addressed during the meeting :

MEPC 76 adopted following amendments to mandatory instruments :

• Resolution MEPC.xxx(76) amending MARPOL Annex VI exemption of UNSP barges from certain survey and certification requirements (item 3) ;
• Resolution MEPC.xxx(76) amending MARPOL Annex I regarding the prohibition on the use and carriage for use as fuel of heavy fuel oil by ships in Arctic waters (item 3) ;
• Resolution MEPC.xxx(76) amending annex I and IV of the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships (AFS Convention) concerning controls on cybutryne and the form of the IAFS. (item 3).

MEPC 76 also :

• approved the final text of the Guidelines MEPC.1/Circ.892 for exemption of UNSP barges from the survey and certification requirements, in complement of amendments to Annexe VI abovementioned  (item 3) ;

• adopted amendments to 2013 Interim guidelines for determining minimum propulsion power to maintain the manoeuvrability of ships in adverse conditions (item 5) ;
• adopted amendments to the 2018 Guidelines on the method of calculation of the attained Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships (item 5) ;

• approved Work Plan to progress the work on the Shaft/Engine Power Limitation concept (item 5)

• adopted draft amendments to circular MEPC.1/Circ.795/Rev.4 on unified interpretation to clarify the dates related to EEDI Phase 2 and 3 for "new ships" (item 5) ;
• noted the 2020 industry guidelines on calculation and verification of Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) (item 6) ;
• approved MEPC.1/Circ.893 on Provision of adequate facilities at ports and terminals for the reception of plastic waste from ships (item 9)
• approved MEPC.1/Circ.894 on Sharing of results from research on marine litter and encouraging studies to better understand microplastics from ships (item 9)
• approved MEPC.1/Circ.895 on Unified interpretations to the NOX Technical Code 2008 (item 9).

MEPC 76 has agreed to the following new outputs for the Committee :

• Review of the 2014 Guidelines for the reduction of underwater noise from commercial shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life (MEPC.1/Circ.833) (2014 Guidelines) and identify next steps (item 12).