Pollution Prevention and Response sub-committee

Biofouling on ships, Exhaust Gas Scrubber Systems (EGCS) and marine plastic litter pollution all high in the agenda

Biofouling on ships was a key regulatory debate at this week’s International Maritime Organization Pollution Prevention and Response sub-committee. The core issue is how to address the safe removal of hull encrustation that grows in one global region, without causing cross-contamination in a different region where the hull is cleaned.  Preventing the import of such hull-borne invasive species will be at the heart of a new correspondence group’s work.

Exhaust Gas Scrubber Systems (EGCS) continue to come under scrutiny. There is significant evidence that water-cleaning of exhaust gasses and the subsequent overboard discharge of the wash-water merely transfers associated pollution from airborne to affecting the sea.  Shipping is witnessing a number of regional and local restrictions on wash-water discharge, with the IMO now considering ways to address this fragmented regulatory landscape. This will, it is hoped, restore predictability and certainty for seafarers, without adversely affecting EGCS investments made in good faith by ship owners, in accordance with IMO/MARPOL regulation.

Addressing marine plastic litter pollution remains high on the IMO agenda, with this sub-committee agreeing a preferred list of IMO instruments through which the specific issue of plastic pellet carriage (and pollution prevention) can be addressed. It was agreed that a new Code under either MARPOL Annex III, SOLAS, or potentially both Conventions, should be the way ahead.

The Nautical Institute was represented this week by Captains Chris O’Flaherty AFNI and Nigel Budd AFNI. Nigel is a member of our volunteer expert delegate scheme, and his attendance greatly enhanced our delegation’s contributions on behalf of our members. For more information on our representative activities at the IMO, including how to get involved, please see here