Decision (EU) 2018/1601 on the position to be taken at the International Maritime Organization during the 73rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee and the 100th session of the Maritime Safety Committee

Summary:

On 13 September 2918 the European Commission presented a proposal for a Council Decision establishing the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee and Maritime Safety Committee regarding the adoption of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI and to the ESP Code.

The Council of the European Union adopted a Decision on 15 October 2018.

Further information:

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. It is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.

In October 2018, during its 73rd session (MEPC 73), the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee is to adopt amendments to regulation 14.1 of Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), concerning the prohibition on the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil for combustion purposes for propulsion or operation on board a ship. These amendments would affect EU law through the application of Directive (EU) 2016/802 relating to a reduction in the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels.

In December 2018, during its 100th session (MSC 100), the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee is to adopt amendments to the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections During Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, 2011 (ESP Code). These amendments would affect EU law through the application of Regulation (EU) No 530/2012 on the accelerated phasing-in of double-hull or equivalent design requirements for single-hull oil tankers.

EUR-Lex: COM(2018)624: Proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be taken in the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee and Maritime Safety Committee https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2018:624:FIN

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