Russia’s position on Polar Code partly taken into account at MEPC 67

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met for its 67th session from 13 to 17 October 2014, at IMO Headquarters in London, press center of Rosmorrechflot’s Marine Rescue Service says.

One of the priorities on the MEPC 67 agenda was the completion of drafting the texts of Part II-A and Part II-B of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (the Polar Code) concerning prevention of pollution from ships. The proposal of the Russian Federation on introduction of a five-year period of release of total ban for oil and oily waste discharge from all ships operating for at least 30 days in Polar waters was partially taken into account. Such vessels were allowed to discharge oily waters with concentration of not exceeding 15 ppm as it is determined by MARPOL Annex I. The discussions resulted in approval of the draft Polar Code and draft amendments to MARPOL Annexes I, II, IV and V to paves the way for adoption of the Polar Code at MEPC 68.

Another issue which caused long discussions was associated with energy-efficiency measures for ships. In particular, the procedures and measures were discussed. However, no agreement was achieved on the volume of the information to be accumulated ant the discussion will be continued at MEPC 68.

As for ballast water management, MEPC resolution on promotion of Ballast Water Management Convention was approved and a decision was taken to revise the existing Guidelines on approval of BWM systems (G8).

Due to long discussions, five points of MEPC 67 agenda were moved to the agenda of MEPC 68.

MEPC 67 also considered issues to MARPOL amendments, study of greenhouse gas emission from ships etc.

There were formed three working groups, a drafting group and a group for detailed consideration of certain point on the agenda involving the members of the Russian delegation.

MEPC 67 was attended by delegations from 95 Member nations and 2 Associate Members, as well as delegations of international and regional non-governmental organizations.

The delegation of the Russian Federation included the representatives of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to IMO, Federal Marine and River Transport Agency (Rosmorrechflot), Rosmorrechflot’s Marine Rescue Service, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, Central Marine Resarch and Design Institute (CNIIMF) and National Chamber of Shipping. The delegation was headed by Vitaly Klyuyev, Deputy Director of the Department of State Policy for Maritime and River Transport of RF Transportation Ministry.

MEPC 68 will be held in May 2015.