This Sub -Committee is expected to attract significant interest especially from environmental NGO’s. Although there are only 49 papers submitted to the session it is important to note that a significant number of papers have been passed to PPR 2 from MEPC 67. Papers passed from MEPC 67 are listed in paper PPR2/1/2. Please note it may be necessary to refer to the general observations from MEPC 67 when these papers are introduced.
There will be a potential maximum attendance of four IFSMA representatives. Some representatives may be conflicted and the priority is for manning the plenary throughout.
It is anticipated that the following Working and Drafting Groups will be established:

Agenda Item 1 – Adoption of the Agenda
No substantive comment
Agenda Item 2 – Decisions of other IMO bodies

Attention is drawn to the list of papers forwarded from MEPC 67 contained within paper 2/1/2. Particular attention is drawn to papers MEPC 67/12/7 submitted by Austria et al. and commenting paper PPR2/2/2 submitted by IMarEST.
Paper MEPC 6712/7 submitted by the EU member states and European Commission proposes an additional sentence to appendix V of the MARPOL Annex VI. This sentence would require a supplier who is supplying conventional fuel to be used with an exhaust gas scrubber to state in the Bunker Delivery Note that is fit for this purpose.
Somewhat against the flow of popular opinion IMarEST have submitted paper 2/2/2 which could be interpreted as trying to shift responsibility from the fuel supplier onto the ship-owner and ships Master and Chief Engineer. This paper is viewed as confrontational in tone and is not expected to receive much support.
Careful attention should be paid to the introduction of the papers and consideration given to an intervention in favour of the EU paper. (Intervention to draft)

Agenda Item 3 – Safety and pollution hazards of chemicals and preparation of consequential to the IBC Code, taking account recommendations of GESAMP-EHS

Attention is drawn to paper PPR 2/3/7 submitted by Norway. This paper deals with the issue of back loading of contaminated liquids on offshore support vessels and proposes some control measures. Many flag states have already dealt with this issue nationally so support is expected from these states in order to achieve a level playing field.
Intervention is not likely to be necessary.

Agenda Item 4 – Code for the transport and handling of limited amounts of hazardous and noxious liquid substances in bulk on offshore support vessels

Attention is drawn to papers PPR2/4 and PPR 2/inf.2 submitted by Denmark which contains the Draft OSV Code and 2/4/1 submitted by Denmark and Norway which contains proposals for a revised chapter 16 on back loading of contaminated liquids as discussed above. It is expected that the draft code will be sent back to the correspondence group for further work.

Agenda Item 5 – Guidelines for Port State Control under the 2004 BWM Convention, including guidance on ballast water sampling and analysis

Attention is drawn to papers PPR 2/5/2 submitted by Estonian and Finland and PPR 2/5/3 submitted by Croatia et al. concerning exemptions for short sea voyages.
The proposals in principle make perfect sense i.e. exempt vessels from certain requirements if they are operating in one geographic area. Careful attention has to be paid to ensure that the definition of “same location/geographic area” is not so broad as to effectively water down the convention. This work is likely to be referred to a correspondence group.

Agenda Item 6 – Production of a manual entitled “Ballast Water Management – How to do it”

This paper is re-submitted by IMarEST after originally being submitted as an Inf. paper at the last session. The content is self-explanatory and the paper is expected to receive widespread support.

Agenda Item 7 – Improved and new technologies approved for ballast water management systems and reduction of atmospheric pollution

Attention is drawn to paper PPR 2/7/2 submitted by the Russian Federation. Many flag states view this as a transparent attempt to re-open the debate on the Tier III NOX emissions standards.
Paper PPR 2/7/3 with 7 co-sponsors opposes the Russian paper. This combined with current political sentiment towards Russia means the paper has little chance of success.

Agenda Item 8 - Consideration of the impact on the Arctic of emissions of Black Carbon from international shipping

As well as a number of papers passed from MEPC 67 there is a fresh submission from Canada (PPR 2/8). This proposal is considered by some as a step forward from what was on the table at MEPC and is therefore expected to receive significant support.

Agenda Item 9 – Revised guidelines for the Inventory of Hazardous Materials

All papers under this agenda item have been forwarded from MEPC 67. As they were introduced at MEPC 67, it is likely that they will be passed directly to the working group without any further discussion in the plenary.

Agenda Item 10 –Guidance on international offers of assistance in response to a marine oil pollution incident
No significant comment
Agenda Item 11 – Revised section II of the manual on oil pollution-contingency planning
No significant comment
Agenda Item 12 – Guide on ice spill response in ice and snow conditions

Now that the Polar Code has been approved by MSC, discussion turns to minor technical issues such as the fact that due to the remote location, harsh weather conditions and complete lack of infrastructure, a major pollution event in the Polar Regions would be virtually possible to contain or clear up.
Paper PPR 2/12 submitted by Norway tries (and fails) to address this issue. We have made our feelings on the Polar Code clear so it not likely that further intervention will be required at this session.

Agenda Item 13 – Updated IMO Dispersant Guidelines

The one paper submitted under this agenda item (PPR 2/13) is the report of the correspondence group. The guidance is not aimed at ship masters specifically so the need for intervention is unlikely.

Agenda Item 14 – Updated OPRC Model Training Courses
No substantive comment
Agenda Item 15 – Unified interpretation to provisions of IMO environment-related Conventions

Attention is drawn to paper PPR 2/15/1 submitted by Italy on the disposal of waste cooking oil. The paper proposes that provision should be made to allow for the burning of waste oil in engines. At first glance this proposal would raise significant concerns but intelligence suggests that some cruise lines may have systems in development that could significantly reduce waste generation. It is therefore recommended that careful attention is paid to the introduction of the paper to establish exactly what is being sought.

Agenda Item 16 – Guidelines pertaining to equivalent methods set forth in regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI and not covered by other guidelines
No papers submitted
Agenda Item 17 – Guidelines as called for under paragraph 2.2.5.6 of the revised NOX Technical Code 2008 (NOX – reducing devices)
No papers submitted
Agenda Item 18 – Biennial agenda and provisional agenda for PPR 2
No papers submitted
Agenda Item 19 – Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman for 2016

It is expected that Chairman (Mr Sveinung Oftedal of Norway) and Vice Chairman (Dr Flavio Costa Fernandes of Brazil) will be re-elected for 2016.

Agenda Item 20 – Any Other Business
No papers submitted

Tags: IMO PPR