A Task Team on Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems has been established carry out a review of the relevant scientific literature and also oversee a modelling study of the impacts of discharge wash water from exhaust gas cleaning systems.
The new Task Team on Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) was formed in 2019 at the request of the the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) to carry out a review of the relevant scientific literature and oversee a modelling study of the impacts of discharge washwater from exhaust gas clearning system effluents.
Background:
The IMO 2015 Guidelines for exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (resolution MEPC 259(68)) are under review in relation to regulation 14.4 of MARPOL Annex VI that sets out a sulphur limit for fuel oil in SOx emission controlled areas (SECA). The sulphur limit has been defined to 0.10% in SECAs and 3.50% outside SECAs. The new Regulation comes into effect on 1 January 2020 and states that outside SECAs the sulphur limit should become 0.50% m/m. The Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems should take care that the new Guidelines are met. PPR agreed that MEPC and PPR related documentation contains information that warrants the undertaking of further scientific research on the envrironmental impacts of EGCS washwater discharges.
Meeting:
The first meeting of the GESAMP Task Team will be held at the IMO Headquarters, in London, from 29th October to 1 November 2019. The workshop will provide an opportunity to members to discuss their findings in person and compile a draft report. The team will advise the PPR Sub-Committee at its next session (PPR 7) in February 2020.