of the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC), today announced that the Council
of IMO has approved the MEPC resolution aimed towards creating a ban on TBT based paints. In his report of the activities of the committee for the last two years, Mr. Julian noted the Council of IMO agreed to the
MEPC's request for a Diplomatic Conference. The purpose of this conference would be to create an internationally legally binding instrument to prohibit the use of harmful antifouling systems.
IMO's Council is a select group
of delegates with the defined role of determining policy and agenda for the organization during the coming biennium 2000-2001. The Council met last Friday where, Mr. Julian reports, they approved of the resolution as drafted
by the MEPC.
Commenting on the Council's agreement, Secretary O'Neill stated that Antifouling paints and exotic species in ballast water are the two priority items on MEPC's future agenda.
The General Assembly will
vote Monday whether or not to approve this and other MEPC resolutions. It is expected the GA will follow the lead of its Council.
Additional highlights from the MEPC summary report:
- MEPC officially met three times during the 1998-99 biennium. During that time the committee issued 19 guidelines and recommendations and 9 draft resolutions.
- A Diplomatic Conference was requested and approved by Council for the draft test of the Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-Operation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances
(HNS-OPRC Protocol). This conference will be held in March 2000.
- The Ballast Water Working Group made significant progress towards a legally binding provision on ballast water management. However, it was decided the matter was not sufficiently advanced to request a Diplomatic
Conference. Ballast water will remain a high priority of the MEPC.
- A Working Group on Reception Facilities was created to develop adequate reception facilities for dirty ballast water, waste oil and garbage. Inadequacy of such facilities in ports poses significant threat to the
health of the marine environment.
- A new Annex VI relating to air pollution from ships was ratified by over 70 member states. MEPC has committed itself to implementation of the Annex and established a follow-up action program. The follow-up
program will attempt to determine what points might be holding up ratification by more Flag states.
- MEPC proposed an Assembly resolution on Self-Assessment of Flag State performance.
- Amendments to MARPOL 73/78 were adopted with relating to Annex I, requirements for oil tankers carrying persistent oil and Annex II relating to shipboard marine pollution emergency plans for chemical tankers.
- The MEPC was involved in establishing a popular Technical Cooperation Program for the protection of the Marine Environment. A five year program has been initiated with the assistance and backing of additional outside
resources.
Delegates' Opinions Seem Favorable Following the MEPC report
It was suggested delegates keep their discussions private until the technical committee meeting Monday. A number of countries however expressed their
opinions regarding the resolutions awaiting adoption by the General Assembly.
Japan, Turkey, Greece, Trinidad & Tobago and Germany all expressed strong support for the resolution on Antifouling Systems Used on Ships
. A few delegates stressed the resolution should be approved "as drafted."
This comment may be in response to a request introduced by BIMCO, ICS and other shipping interests. Report A 21/11/2 points out
the draft resolution assigns firm dates for the ban on TBT based paints regardless of whether a legal instrument has been agreed upon. BIMCO's group feel the resolution should state the dates are
"tentative target recommendations" dependent upon the preparation of the legal instrument. This debate will likely continue Monday in the technical committee meeting.
Delegates from other countries expressed
interest in the self assessment program for Flag States, and facilitation of port receptacle facilities program.
The International Maritime Organization -
