by Rhys Berry | ship.energy
Capt. M.H. Kaczmarek, the Chairman of the Clean Shipping Alliance (CSA), which advocates for exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) in the maritime industry, shares his organisation’s ambitions and expectations for MEPC 84.
Ahead of next week’s meeting at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) London HQ, ship.energy has been asking a range of maritime industry stakeholders two questions. What you would like to see (Best Case Scenario); and what you expect to see (Realistic Scenario) coming out of MEPC 84?
Acknowledging that MEPC 84 might not be an EGCS-heavy meeting, nevertheless Kaczmarek said the CSA hopes to see: ‘An announcement of funding achieved for the GESAMP [Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection] Task Team on EGCS Emission Factors, enabling work to re-commence:
A realistic outcome, said Kaczmarek, is an announcement of GESAMP Task Team funding.
Kaczmarek also expressed his association’s desire for: A rejection of the proposal [submitted by WWF and Pacific Environment] of MEPC 84/10/A4, as a misinterpretation of the intent of MARPOL VI for an equivalent means of sulphur reduction compliance:
Realistically, Kaczmarek said the CSA expects a rejection or deferral’ of the proposal.
Finally, Kaczmarek said the CSA is hopeful of: “An acknowledgement by the Chair that any EGCS restrictions under consideration should be preceded by a risk assessment (in accordance with standard test methods, per MEPC.1/Circ.899, as the science is available to make any precautionary restrictions unnecessary)!
A realistic result, said Kaczmarek, would be: That certain areas with EGCS restrictions have relaxed these currently to allow for more flexibility in fuel options by critical shipping!
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