The seventy-fourth session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 74) was held at the IMO in London, U.K. from 13 to 17 May. Since the minutes, resolutions and circulars of the meeting were recently released from the IMO secretaries, a summary of the decisions taken at MEPC 74 is provided as below for your information.

1. Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emission reduction measures
GHG emissions from international shipping have been deliberated at IMO, and so far, the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) and the Data Collection System for fuel oil consumption of ships (DCS) were introduced. Further, at MEPC 72, Initial IMO Strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships, which includes emission reduction target and candidate measures to reduce GHG emissions, was adopted.

(1) Review of technological developments for EEDI
Regulation 21.6 of MARPOL Annex VI sets out that a review of the status of technological developments which may contribute to the improvement of EEDI should be conducted. It also requires, if proved necessary, to amend the subsequent requirements, i.e. "when to start the each phase" and "the reduction rate". At MEPC 71, it was agreed to establish a correspondence group (CG), coordinated by Japan, to consider an early implementation of phase 3 and possible introduction of phase 4.
At this session, consideration was made based on the report of the CG and agreements reached at MEPC 73.

i) Strengthening EEDI phase 3 requirements
Draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI were approved based on followings consensus. The draft amendments will be adopted at MEPC 75.
- For general cargo ship, LNG carrier and cruise passenger ship, advance starting year from 2025 to 2022 and retain 30 % reduction rate.
- For gas carrier (LPG carrier) with 15,000DWT and above, advance starting year from 2025 to 2022 and retain 30 % reduction rate. For gas carrier (LPG carrier) below 15,000DWT, retain the current requirements of starting year in 2025 and the reduction rate.

(To be continued)