The 11th session of the IMO Sub-Committee Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) was held remotely from 19 to 23 February 2024, covering major topics such as amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, biofouling, ballast water management, black carbon, sewage treatment and marine plastic litter, exhaust gas cleaning systems, and the NOx Technical Code. I attended the whole committee to represent SYBAss. As PPR is a Sub-Committee, all decisions concerning rules, regulations and dates are subject to further consideration and approval by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC).
The sub-committee agreed on the relevant proposed updates to the MARPOL Convention and other IMO instruments, as follows:
- Finalisation of the Draft Guidance to assist in the reduction of the impact of Black Carbon emissions from international shipping on the Arctic (expected to be approved at MEPC 82 in October 2024).
- Finalisation of the Draft Guidelines on mitigation measures to reduce risks of use and carriage for use of HFO as fuel by ships in Arctic waters.
- Setting and finalisation of the Draft Guidelines on the carriage of plastic pellets and their clean-up if spilt overboard.
- Draft amendments to the NOx Technical Code and consequential amendments to MARPOL Annex VI with the objective of facilitating engines with multiple operational profiles. (Subject to adoption at MEPC 83 in 2025)
The following notes are a summary of the relevant topics and outcomes discussed. Note that the presented information reflects the status at the time of PPR 11 which may change as a result of ongoing developments. It is also uncertain at this time whether the mentioned proposed amendments or new regulations will eventually be adopted in future versions of the Red Ensign Group Yacht Codes or other flag codes.