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.