Based on several submissions related to the voluntary measurements protocol to collect data on black carbon (BC) emissions from ships, PPR 4 emphasised the need for BC measurement studies to be conducted so as to gain experience with the application of the definition and measurement methods. Such experience would allow comparison of the measurement methods and an assessment of the scale of possible variation in the data collected.
PPR 4 developed a tentative time plan for future work on this item, keeping in mind that owing to lack of data it was not possible to consider possible control measures for reducing the impact of BC emissions on the Arctic of emissions from international shipping.
After identifying the most appropriate method for measurement of black carbon, PPR will analyse future data and if necessary develop control measures to reduce the BC emission impact from international shipping.
PPR 4 also developed draft guidelines to the 2008 NOx Technical Code addressing the use of Scheme A or Scheme B for approval and certification of a marine diesel engine fitted with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems.
According to the NOx Technical Code, the engine system fitted with SCR has to be tested on a test bed (Scheme A). Where it is not appropriate to do the certification on a test bed due to technical or practical reasons, the engine/SCR system can be certified on board (Scheme B).
PPR 4 decided to change previous practice for the two Schemes to make them equally applicable. This required an amendment to the 2008 NOx Technical Code.
The guidelines will be forwarded to MEPC in July 2017 for adoption, whereas the amendments to the Code are likely to be adopted at MEPC 73 in 2018.
PPR 4 agreed to establish a new agenda item related to the use of multiple Engine Operation Profiles (so-called MAP’s) with the aim to develop guidelines on this matter.
New engines normally have the possibility of using electronic engine management systems, whereby the start and duration/end of injection can be selected independent of each other and also variable rail pressure control arrangements can be controlled. The fuel injection controls can also be combined with injector switching, inlet/exhaust valve timing including charge air or exhaust bypass/wastegate settings.
The question is, however, whether this should be allowed, and if so, what regulatory controls should be applied, noting that these may also need to include amendments to MARPOL Annex VI and the NOx Technical Code. The guidelines will define if and when switching between MAPs is allowed and at what frequency. The work will start at the next meeting of PPR in spring 2018.
PPR also worked on revising the IBC, and in particular chapters 17 (Summary of minimum requirements), chapter 18 (List of products to which the code does not apply) and chapter 21 (Criteria for assigning carriage requirements for products subject to the IBC Code).
The review aimed to harmonize the requirements for individual substances with the UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) hazard evaluation procedure for chemical substances carried by ships.
The amendments will be forwarded to MEPC for approval.
PPR 4 was presented with documents related to sampling and analysis and contingency measures, which need to be solved before the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention enters into force on 8 September 2017. PPR 4 considered several editorials and amendments, and subsequently forwarded the documents to MEPC for further consideration in July 2017.
The work on the draft "Ballast Water Management – How to do it" manual was completed. Even though these guidelines are aimed at IMO Member States, BIMCO has been involved in the draft of the manual as co-writer on the chapters concerning shipowners. The manual will be important especially for the use of Port State Control Officers. The manual is expected to be adopted at MEPC 71 for publication later in 2017 or early 2018.
The drafting group also had discussions relating to: Chemical treatment, retention of the BWM record book and preparation of a BWM circular on “Guidance on methodologies that may be used for determining viability of organism”.
Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) publish regular Bunker Alerts based entirely on fuel samples and have kindly permitted BIMCO’s Members to access this information.
The Bunker Alerts are not intended to be an evaluation of overall bunker quality in the port or area concerned, but usually highlight a specific parameter within the fuel which has raised a quality issue.
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