Air Pollution

New Annex VI to MARPOL 73/78

The Committee had originally intended to complete its work on the protocol and regulations relative to the new Annex VI on air pollution at this session of MEPC and hold a diplomatic conference at MEPC 39 in March 1997. However, since agreement had not been reached on a number issues as discussed below it was decided to schedule the conference during MEPC 40 in September 1997.

A majority of Delegations did, however, agree that Annex VI should enter into force 12 months after 15 States with combined merchant fleets of not less than 50% of the world’s gross tonnage ratify the proposed 1997 Protocol, thereby giving effect to the new Annex VI to MARPOL. Parties to Annex VI are obligated to provide reception facilities for fuel oil containing excessive sulphur and for ozone depleting substances.

The Annex VI generally applies to all ships 400 gt and above and to all tankers. The applicability of portions of Annex VI to fixed and floating offshore platforms remains under discussion.

Designation of SOX Emission Control Areas

Annex VI contains criteria for signatory States to use in establishing SOX Emission Control Areas (ECAs). Although the Baltic and North Sea were proposed as establish SOX ECAs, no action was taken as information pertaining to these areas under the criteria is needed. This should include a clear delineation of the area at risk, an assessment of the environmental impact of SOX emissions from ships operating in the areas, pertinent meteorological effects, patterns and density of ship traffic and measures taken to minimize the impact of land-based sources of produced SOX.

Global Sulphur Cap on Fuel Oil

This continues to be the most contentious of all of the regulations contained in Annex VI. After two days of discussions the Committee remained divided on the nature and magnitude of the sulphur cap and therefore proposed two alternatives to regulate the sulphur content of fuel oil: (1) a 5% m/m (i.e. unit mass) sulphur cap vs (2) an initial 4.5% m/m cap which will be reduced to 4.0% m/m when it has been determined that the worldwide average sulphur content (yet to be determined) has increased by 0.2% m/m. These alternatives were tabled for the time being with the view that the matter will

The sulphur content of fuel oil used on board ships operating within SOX Emission Control Areas (ECAs) is not to exceed 1.5 % m/m. Additionally, an exhaust gas cleaning system is to be fitted to reduce sulphur oxides from the main and auxiliary engines to 6.0 g SOX/kWh calculated as the total weight emission of sulphur dioxide.

Given the provisions of Annex VI which allow signatory States to establish SOX ECAs, a possible outcome of the September 1997 Conference might consider that a global sulphur cap or complex measures to control the sulphur content of fuels are not necessary.

Bunker Delivery Notes

Bunker delivery notes for each port that fuel oil was loaded shall be provided to and maintained on board the ship for a period tentatively set at 3 years from date bunkers were taken on. The notes shall contain the product’s name, quantity loaded, sulphur content (per ISO 8754) and density (per ISO 3675) together with a declaration as to the accuracy of the information. It was agreed that the Master is not responsible to ensure the accuracy of the specified data of the fuel is delivered to the ship.

NOX Emission Requirements

Diesel engines (excluding emergency and lifeboat engines) with a power output more than 130kW installed or modified (i.e., 10% increase in maximum continuous rating) after a January 2000 must operate within the following NO2 emission limits:

RPM,n	Total Weighted NO2
n <130	17.0 g/kWh
130< n <2000	5 n(-0.2) g/kWh4
n >2000	9.8 g/kWh

An engine exhaust gas cleaning system, approved under the NOX Technical Code (under development) can be used to reduce emissions to within the above limits. A monitoring and recording device shall be fitted to provide a ready means of verification.

Ozone Depleting Substances

Ships built after the in force date of Annex VI will be prohibited from being fitted with installations (i.e., systems, material, equipment -- portable and fixed) which contain ozone depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons except that equipment containing hydro-chlorofluorocarbons are permitted until 1 January 2020, under the provisions of the 1987 Montreal Protocol. Recharging of installations may, however, continue.

Based on a U.S. proposal, the Fire Protection SubCommittee was instructed to determine if perfluorocarbons (PFCs), an alternative to CFCs but considered a greenhouse gas, are presently regulated and if so propose appropriate action to incorporate their prohibition in Annex VI. Application of this prohibition to refrigerated cargo containers using CFCs remains under discussion.