MEPC 59

IMO posted document MEPC 59/1/2, dated June 1, 2009.

The Note by the Chairman proposes the following arrangements for the working, drafting and other groups at MEPC 59:

1. Working Group on GHG Issues;
2. Working Group on Guidelines for Ship Recycling;
3. Joint MSC/MEPC Working Group on Human Element;
4. Drafting Group on Amendments to MARPOL Annex I; and
5. Technical Group on Emission Control Area (ECA) and other MARPOL Annex VI related issues.

The Chairman also proposes to re-establishing the Review Group on Ballast Water Technologies at MEPC 59.

The GHG issue is one area where the the Friends of the Earth Int'l and other NGOs are pushing hard for progress, asking for considerable fuel consumption reductions.

The Drafting Group for amendments to MARPOL Annex I suggests tightening of the oil pollution regulations. It should be noted there is a US proposal before the MEPC 59 to phase out MEPC.60(33) compliant bilge filtering equipment.

Does the Technical Group on ECA and other Annex VI issues suggest a planned global approach to ECA designations? If so, could it delay passage of the US - Canada application at MEPC 59.