A summary of the decisions taken at the forty-ninth session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 49) held from 14 July to 18 July 2003 is given hereunder for your information.

1. Phasing out for single hull tankers (reference is made to the Attachment 1)

The amendment to MARPOL Annex I, based on EU proposal demanding further acceleration of the phase-out timetable for single hull tankers, a ban on the carriage of heavy grades of oil in single hull tankers and CAS to be applied to tankers of 15 years of age and over, was approved with some pending issues. An extra session of MEPC as MEPC50 will be held in December 2003 to consider the adoption of the amendment to the MARPOL Annex I. The Annex will enter into force in April 2005.

(1) Earlier phasing out for single hull tankers
The outlines of the amendment to Reg.13G are as follows;
(I) The end cut-off date for Category 1 tankers would be 2005 from 2007.
(ii) The end cut-off date for Category 2 & 3 tankers would be 2010 from 2015. However, Administration may allow continued operation to 2015 or specified age (e.g. 20, 23, 25 years of age) if satisfactory results of CAS. The tentative agreements will further considered in December 2003.

(2) Heavy oil carriage ban for single hull tankers
The outlines of the newly established Reg.13H are as follows;
(I) Single hull tanker of 600 tons deadweight and above but less than 5,000 tons deadweight carrying heavy grades of oils as cargo should comply with Reg.13F(7) I.e. requiring double hull constructions until 2008.
(ii) However, outstanding issues regarding the allowing continued operation to 2015 or specified age and exemptions for tankers exclusively engaged in domestic trades will be further considered in December 2003.

(3) Early implementation of CAS
CAS should be applied to Category 2 & 3 tankers of 15 years of age and over as against being applicable to all Category 1 vessels continuing to trade after 2005 and all Category 2 vessels after 2005.
(To be continued)
2. Ballast Water Convention (reference is made to the Attachment 2)

Consideration was given to a new draft "International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments" which aims to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms in the marine environment. At the lengthy discussion since 1988, the draft text of the Convention was finalized at this session. The Convention is scheduled to be adopted at the Diplomatic Conference which will be held on February 2004.

3. Information on the coming into effect of MARPOL Annex VI (prevention of air pollution from ships)

The Secretariat reported that the requirements for entry into force of Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78 on regulation for prevention of pollution by air pollution from ships were nearly satisfied. As of June 2003, the Annex has been ratified by 11 States representing well over 50% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping. The requirements for entry into force of Annex VI are the ratification by at least 15 States with not less than 50% of world merchant shipping tonnage. Five countries will ratify the Annex shortly. The Annex will enter into force one year after the date of coming into effect.

4. Others

(1) Air pollution from ships (reduction in greenhouse gases)
A draft Assembly resolution on "IMO Policies and Practices related to reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships" was finalized with a view to adoption at 23rd Ass