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Sulphur cap experience-building phase set for approval today

The 73rd gathering of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) taking place this week at the London headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is running behind schedule, but nevertheless a move to create an experience-building phase to the global sulpur cap, due to commence on January 1, 2020, is expected to be approved later today.

After the first two days of the five-day meeting just six items on the MEPC agenda had been completed with sulphur cap implementation issues overrunning through to today.

The so-called experience-building phase is not designed to push back the 2020 cap implementation date, its sponsors have stressed. The move is designed instead to be a data-gathering period to give greater transparency and detailed information on compliance for an unspecified period after January 1, 2020. The idea was co-sponsored by the Bahamas, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, BIMCO, Intercargo and Intertanko, and has since gained strong support from the US, and a host of other nations attending MEPC this week.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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