Environment
January 2021
New law in California, USA, affecting shipowners’ liability for oil pollution
Members are advised that amendments to the so-called Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act of 1990 in the State of California on criminal fines for oil spill violations in state waters entered into force on 1 January 2021. BIMCO takes the opportunity to remind members about the importance of strict compliance with this and other environmental laws.
December 2020
Efficiency drive
In the December 2020/January 2021 issue of Bunkerspot, BIMCO’s Deputy Secretary General Lars Robert Pedersen considers what the new MARPOL Annex VI amendments on ships’ operational efficiency will mean for the industry. Read the article below:
Crew changes and abandonment top busy IMO Legal Committee agenda
The Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed on a new item for its future work programme relating to fair treatment of seafarers detained on suspicion of committing maritime crimes. At the Committee’s meeting on 27 November and 1-2 December, it also agreed on the development of guidelines for flag and port state authorities regarding how to deal with seafarer abandonment cases.
Amendments to California’s Marine Invasive Species Program will come into force soon
California has amended regulation in section 2298.5 in Article 4.8 of Title 2, Division 3 of Chapter 1 of the California Code of Regulations. The regulatory changes become effective on 1 January 2021. It changes the way ships should submit information through the Marine Invasive Species Program Annual Vessel Reporting Form.
Just-In-Time Arrival Guide issued to support more efficient shipping
A new guide developed by the Global Industry Alliance (GIA) to support low carbon shipping has been launched with the aim to provide both port and shipping sectors with practical guidance on how to facilitate Just-In-Time Arrivals (JIT).
BIMCO: EU ship recycling regime improved but gaps remain
An updated Report on the European list of ship recycling facilities, commissioned by BIMCO, shows progress in increasing the number of active yards on the list, but the rules still don’t reflect commercial realities and lags behind on capacity to scrap large commercial ships.
November 2020
IMO has approved short-term GHG reduction measures
The 75th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 75), which took place online from 16 to 20 November 2020, continued the deliberations on reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping, but also adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI and the International Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM Convention).
BIMCO to open London office
BIMCO will open its fourth local office, this time in London, at the beginning of 2021. The new office will support the organisation’s regulatory affairs activities with Dr Bev Mackenzie taking up the role of BIMCO’s permanent representative at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) from 1 February, reporting to Deputy Secretary General Lars Robert Pedersen at the head office in Copenhagen.
Shipping industry welcomes IMO decision to give further consideration to USD 5 billion fund to accelerate decarbonisation
Copenhagen, Brussels, London and Washington; November 20, 2020 – The UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) has given initial consideration to an innovative proposal from the global shipping industry to collectively provide USD 5 billion to accelerate R&D to support its decarbonisation.
Testing of Ballast water systems on the agenda as IMO meets
As the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meets for its 75th session on 16 to 20 November, regulations on ballast water testing is expected to be adopted.
