Ship&Offshore | Issue GreenTech/2017
IMO Convention faces more delays
MEPC 71 The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) held its 71st session from July 3rd to 7th 2017. Among the top issues that were discussed was a revised implementation scheme for the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention). Further topics were the establishment of NECAs and the IMO strategy on greenhouse gas emissions.
With two months to go before the entry into force of the international BWM Convention on September 8th 2017, MEPC 71 reached a highly anticipated compromise agreement on the implementation dates for the so-called D-2 discharge standard. Generally, compliance with the D-2 standard translates to the date individual ships must have a ballast water treatment system installed. The new agreement ensures full global implementation by September 8th 2024 and contains the following key elements: Ships constructed (keel-laid) on or after September 8th 2017 need to comply with the D-2 standard upon delivery.