IMO to study EU phase-out proposals

In preparation for the 49th. MEPC meeting in July, the IMO has assembled an expert group to review the European Commission's proposals for the accelerated phase-out of single-hulled tankers, the extension of the Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS) and the restriction in the carriage of certain heavy oils to double-hulled vessels only. INTERTANKO has been invited, along with OCIMF, ICS, IACS, BIMCO, OECD and data providers, to participate in this group, whose reports are planned for distribution in June.

The Commission's proposals (MEPC 49/16/1), supported by all 15 EU member states, mirror the recently announced EU Council of Ministers conclusions and seek parallel revisions to MARPOL Annex 1. These proposals, dependent upon the decisions of the IMO Council and MEPC 49, may lead to an extra session of the MEPC in December this year in order to conclude an agreement.

The expert group will examine the impact of the proposed phase-out revisions and oil carriage restrictions on the tanker and oil industries, and the shipbuilding and ship recycling industries, including the economic effects and any potential environmental benefits. It will also study the feasibility of the CAS proposals, including the additional survey workload. The base case assumptions are that the proposals would have global application from a MARPOL entry into force date of April 2005, while sensitivities may involve the possible implementation of these measures by some countries ahead of this date, and some countries may not choose to adopt these amendments.

(Source: Intertanko)