IMO Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) approves campaign to measure black carbon emissions from shipping

The Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) of the IMO has discussed the impact of black carbon emissions from shipping on the Arctic environment, press center of Russia’s Federal Marine and River Transport Agency (Rosmorrechflot) reports. The second session of the Sub-Committee was held on January 19-23 in London.

According to Rosmorrechflot, the majority of the delegations participating in the meeting support the scientific definition of black carbon allowing for different measures. Taking into consideration the fact that the method of measuring black carbon emissions from shipping will depend on the definition of black carbon the work has not been completed. The discussions ended with the approval of a voluntary measuring campaign (both shore and onboard trials) to select the most appropriate method of measuring. No time limits have been set forth.

Most of the delegations do not support the document elaborated by the Russian Federation with the proposal to establish a correspondent group for further consideration of unsolved issues related to the technology of reducing NOx emissions in compliance with Tier III Standards.

The meeting also considered issues related to MARPOL Annex VI and the NOX Technical Code; development of the "Ballast Water Management – How to do it" manual; revision of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials, to support the Ship Recycling Convention; finalization of the draft Guidelines on international offers of assistance intended to provide guidance to States requesting and receiving emergency assistance during spill incidents.

Mr Sveinung Oftedal (Norway) was anonymously reelected as the Sub-Committee Chairman, Dr Flavio Fernandes (Brazil) - as his Vice Chair.

The delegation from Russia headed by Mr. Yury Melenas, the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to IMO, included representatives of his Office, Rosmorrechflot’s Marine Rescue Service, Krylov State Research Center and Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping.

Next session of PPR will be held on February 15-19, 2016.