Phase-Out of Oily Water Separators?

The U.S submission MEPC 59/10/10 re-introduces the need for a phase-out of oil pollution prevention equipment as follows, referring to the outcome of DE-52: "The United States supports the Sub-Committee's conclusion regarding the proposal for mandatory phase-out of oily water separators and oil discharge monitoring systems complying with resolutions MEPC.60(33) and A.586(14). Specifically, the Sub-Committee concluded it could not achieve the Committee's tasking because the issue was not a dedicated item on the Sub-Committee-s agenda or work programme. Therefore the United States proposes that the Committee establish a dedicated item in the Sub-Committee's work programme and agenda to facilitate completion of the Committee's instructions.

It should be recalled that the U.S. made the request for the phase-out of existing oily water separators (OWS) when MEPC.107(45) came into force. That proposal suggested an OWS replacement at the next dry-docking of an existing ship. It appears that with a positive response to the current U.S. submission a phase-out of pre-MEPC.107(49) OWS in less than 7 years might come to pass; which would be pretty well in line with most clean ship initiatives, including "Green Marine".