IMSML Website Article 18/2025: Resolution MEPC.382(80) - Establishment of the Date on Which Regulation 6 of MARPOL Annex V, In Respect of The Red Sea Special Area, Shall Take Effect

Today's article is on Resolution MEPC.382(80) provides a date for which the Red Sea Special Area comes into effect under Regulation 6 of MARPOL Annex V (as modified by the Protocol of 1978). The special area takes effect on 1 January 2025. Resolution MEPC.382(80) is important for its various Annexes, ranging from Annex 23 (Biennial Agenda of the PPR Sub-Committee for the 2024-2025 Biennium) to Annex 30 (Statements by Delegations and Observers).

ANNEX 23 - BIENNIAL AGENDA OF THE PPR SUB-COMMITTEE FOR THE 2024-2025 BIENNIUM

There are several broad agendas (see Annex 23 p 1 to p 3):

[1]  Implementation improvement;

[2] Integration of new and advancing technologies in the regulatory framework;

[3] Response to climate change;

[4] Engagement in ocean governance;

[5] Addressing the human element;

[6] Ensuring regulatory effectiveness.

ANNEX 24 - PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR PPR 11

There are a number of agendas ranging from adoption of the agenda, to reduction of the impact of Black Carbon emissions in the Arctic, and reporting to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (see Annex 24, p 1).

ANNEX 25 - STATUS REPORT OF THE OUTPUTS OF MEPC FOR THE 2022-2023 BIENNIUM

This is similar to the broad initiatives in Annex 23 but focussing more on a very ambitious lists of tasks and objectives, including (see Annex 25, p 1 - p 12):

[1] The Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention;

[2] MARPOL Annex IV and associated guidelines;

[3] Standard specifications for shipboard incinerators regrading fire protection requirements for incinerators and waste stowage spaces;

[4] IBTS Guidelines and amendments to the IOPP Certificate and Oil Record Book;

[5] Development of the NOx Technical Code on the use of multiple engine operational profiles for a marine diesel engine;

[6] Development of goal-based ship construction standards for all ship types;

[7] Standards for shipboard gasification of waste systems;

[8] Revision of guidelines associated with with the AFS Convention as a consequence of the introduction of controls on cybutryne;

[9] Further development of mechanisms to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping;

[10] Reduction of the impact on the Arctic of emissions of Black Carbon from international shipping;

[11] Promotion of technical cooperation and transfer of technology for GHG emissions reduction from ships;

[12] Review of EEDI under Regulation 21.6 of MARPOL Annex VI;

[13] Identification of Special Areas and associated protective measures;

[14] Follow up work on the Action Plan to address marine plastic litter from ships;

[15] Role of the human element;

[16] Validating model training courses;

[17] Development of an entrant training manual for PSC personnel;

[18] Development of an operational guide on response to spills of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS);

[19] Unified interpretation for IMO based compensation related conventions;

[20] Consequential amendments of the IBC Code;

[21] Lessons learnt from the analysis of marine safety investigation reports, including alleged inadequacy of port reception facilities;

[22] Monitoring of global average sulphur content of fuel oils supplied for use onboard ships;

[23] Risk reduction measures for carriage of heavy fuel oils used in the Arctic waters;

[24] Updating survey guidelines under the Harmonised Survey System and Certification (HSSC);

[25] Consideration of reports involving dangerous goods in packaged form on board ships;

ANNEX 26 - PROPOSED OUTPUT OF MEPC FOR THE 2024-2025 BIENNIUM

Among the proposed outputs (see Annex 26 p 1 to p 6) include identifying the emerging needs of developing countries, in particular SIDS and LDCs to be included in the ITCP, to EEDI reviews required under Regulation 21.6 of MARPOL Annex VI and cooperation with international bodies other than IMO on matters of mutual interest.

ANNEX 27 - POST-BIENNIAL AGENDA OF MEPC

In Annex 27, p 1, the identified agenda range from Development of amendments to Regulation 19 of MARPOL Annex VI and the development of an associated Exemption Certificate for the exemption of ships not normally engaged on international voyages, all the way to Amendments to the NOx Technical Code 2008 with regard to re-certification procedures of existing marine diesel engines on board ships.

ANNEX 28 - ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA OF MEPC 81

The items to be included range from (see Annex 28, p 1) Harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water (Agenda 4), to pollution prevention and response (Agenda 9) and Application of the Committee’s method of work (Agenda 13).

ANNEX 29 - STATEMENT BY THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL

The focus of the speech was on climate change, global greenhouse gas emissions as well as the need for investment and innovation. The speech ends with a hope that the MEPC will steer the shipping sector of a clean, prosperous future for industry and humanity.

ANNEX 30 - STATEMENT BY DELEGATIONS AND OBSERVERS

Annex 30, p 1 commences with Japan welcoming the ratification instruments of Bangladesh and Liberia. This is followed by a statement by the delegation of Ukraine, and the Russian Federation. After this Annex 30 documents statements from countries in alphabetical order, starting with Canada (see p 7) and all the way to Vanuatu (see p 72) and Venezuela (see p 73). Annex 30 concludes with statements from observers such as ICS (see p 73), IWSA (see p 76), IWC (see p 82), WSC (see p 82).

Thank you for reading IMSML Website Article 18/2025

Stay tuned for the next IMSML Website Article 19/2025: MSN 02/2024 - IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW CHAPTER XV OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA (SOLAS) 1974, AS AMENDED, AND THE INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SAFETY FOR SHIPS CARRYING CARRYING INDUSTRIAL PERSONNEL (IP CODE)

Signing-off for today,

Dr Irwin Ooi Ui Joo, LL.B(Hons.)(Glamorgan); LL.M (Cardiff); Ph.D (Cardiff); CMILT

Professor of Maritime and Transport Law

Head of the Centre for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution

Faculty of Law

Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Selangor, Malaysia

Tuesday,  6 May 2025

Note that I am the corresponding author for the IMSML Website Articles. My official email address is: uijoo310@uitm.edu.my