Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83)

Why in News? The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) took place from April 7 to 11, 2025, at the IMO headquarters in London.

Relevance : UPSC Pre &  Mains

Prelims : IMO/MEPC 83

Mains :   GS 2/ GS 3- Environment

Key Outcomes of MEPC 83

IMO Net-Zero Framework:

• Draft Finalization:

• • Finalized the draft legal text for the IMO Net-Zero Framework.
  • Includes amendments to Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Reduction:

• Focus:

• Mid-term measures to lower GHG emissions from ships.
• Promotes energy transition and ensures a level playing field for the global shipping fleet.

 2025 Action Plan for Marine Plastic Litter:

Adoption:

• A new action plan aimed at addressing marine plastic litter from ships.
• Builds on prior initiatives to combat plastic pollution in marine environments.

Biofuels and Waste Management:

Interim Guidance:

• Approved guidelines for carrying biofuels and MARPOL Annex I cargoes by bunker ships.
• Provided guidance for in-water cleaning of ships’ biofouling.

Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention:

Progress:

• • Continued review of the convention.
  • Developing draft amendments for future considerations.

Other Environmental Matters:

• Addressed key environmental concerns, including:

• • NOx Emissions: Regulating emissions from ship engines.
  • Ship Recycling: Developing sustainable recycling processes.
  • Pollution Preparedness and Response: Enhancing mechanisms for pollution prevention and response.

Significance:

The MEPC 83 session underscored IMO’s commitment to environmental sustainability, setting the stage for a global transition to greener maritime practices. The outcomes reflect ongoing efforts to align maritime operations with international climate goals.

About the International Maritime Organization (IMO):

• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating global shipping. Established in 1948 and headquartered in London, UK, the IMO promotes safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient, and sustainable maritime transport.
• Its primary role is to develop and maintain a comprehensive framework of international regulations for shipping, covering aspects like safety, environmental protection, legal matters, technical cooperation, and maritime security.

 Key Functions and Objectives:

1. Safety of Shipping: The IMO develops standards to ensure the safety of ships, crews, and passengers. Its flagship convention is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which sets minimum safety standards for ship construction, equipment, and operation.
2. Environmental Protection: The IMO addresses marine and atmospheric pollution caused by shipping. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is its key framework, tackling oil spills, waste disposal, and emissions like sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
3. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The IMO is working to reduce the maritime sector’s carbon footprint. In 2018, it adopted a strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels, with measures like the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).
4. Maritime Security: Post-9/11, the IMO introduced the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code to enhance security measures for ships and ports.
5. Legal Framework: The IMO facilitates international agreements on liability and compensation for incidents like oil spills (e.g., the Civil Liability Convention).
6. Technical Cooperation: It supports developing nations in building maritime capacity and complying with global standards.

Structure:

• Assembly: The governing body, meeting every two years, includes all 176 member states (as of 2025).
• Council: A 40-member executive body elected by the Assembly, overseeing operations.
• Committees: Key technical committees include the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), and others addressing specific areas.
• Secretariat: Led by the Secretary-General (currently Arsenio Dominguez, elected in 2023), it manages day-to-day operations.