Deputy Director Bui Thien Thu attended the 64th session

Commission for Protection of Marine Environment (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has convened the 64th session from 01 to October 5, 2012 at the Headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO ) city of London, UK. Attend this session of MEPC with delegations from the member states and non-governmental organizations. Vietnam delegation led by Mr. Bui Thien Thu - Deputy Director of Vietnam Maritime Administration, head of delegation attending the session.

The work program of this conference focused mainly on issues related to applying the provisions on efficient energy use, management of ship ballast water and regeneration. MEPC also formally consider the Saba Bank - Northeast of Netherlands Caribbean is a particularly sensitive sea area (PSSA).

1. Continue to work on solutions for efficient energy use for ships

MEPC will continue to work on technical solutions to mining and energy use efficiency for ships, based on the work program has been in place since the previous session. The work was continued after adopted the new Chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI will take effect from 01 June 01, 2013 and issued new mandatory requirements on energy index effective design ( EEDI) for new ships and application management plan of the vessel's energy efficiency (SEEMP) apply to all ships.

The scope of work includes construction guidelines to determine power and push boats lowest speed allowing safe maneuvering in adverse weather conditions, construction of the EEDI framework for ship types not included in the list directory of ships were built in the previous session EEDI, eg ships and ro-ro passenger ships, the system ships with nontraditional motivation as motivation system or diesel-electric turbines.

2. Technical Cooperation to implement the solution efficient energy use compulsory

Regulation 23 of Annex VI, Chapter 4 of MARPOL promote technical cooperation and technology transfer related to improving energy efficiency of ships requested the Governments of Member States, in collaboration with IMO and other international organizations, to promote and provide support directly or through IMO for the other member countries, especially the developing countries have requested technical assistance. Regulation 23 also requires States Parties to MARPOL Annex VI to actively cooperate with other Member States in accordance with the policies, regulations and national legislation to promote the development and transfer of technology, and exchange of information to other countries may require technical assistance, especially in developing countries.

MEPC will consider the draft MEPC resolution on the promotion of technical cooperation and technology transfer related to improving energy efficiency of ships. This resolution aims to give a legal framework to promote and facilitate technology transfer, support the implementation of the new regulations on energy efficiency of ships.

3. Ballast Water Management System

MEPC will consider the report at the 21 th session, 22 and 23 of GESAMP, Ballast Water Working Group for the purpose of approving basic approval for 05 ballast water treatment systems and final approval for 03 ballast water treatment system that uses the active ingredient.

MEPC will reiterate the need for countries which have not ratified the BWM Convention in 2004 in order to qualify for entry into force of the Convention as soon as possible. To date has accounted for 29.07% 36 countries overall world fleet tonnage have ratified the Convention. The Convention will come into force 12 months from the date of the 30 countries accounting for 35% of the world fleet tonnage ratify Parties.

The committee will also consider a number of proposals relating to the application of the Convention, aim to harmonize sampling procedures and type approval of ballast water treatment systems, eliminate ambiguity for availability inconsistent performance and to prevent the possible punishment is not true for the ship's crew.

The Commission also reviewed the recommendations relating to the type of vessel will be used specifically to give specific instructions for the oil services ships and mobile offshore drilling units to apply the requirements of the Convention BMW.

4. Ship Recycling

MEPC will consider the draft Guidelines vessel inspection and certification according to the Hong Kong Convention (Manual testing and certification) and Manual testing vessels (Inspection) has been drafting groups associated construction sector. These guidelines, along with the guidelines adopted for the purposes of supporting facilities and ship demolition companies started shipping bawts making voluntary improvements to meet the requirements of the Convention Hong Kong was adopted on 05 May 2009.

5. The Saba Bank

MEPC will consider formally designate the Saba Bank in the Northeast region of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Caribbean is a particularly sensitive sea area (PSSA) after obtaining the approval in principle at the last session.

Concerning the protective measures already approved by the Maritime Safety Sub-Committee, at its meeting in July 2012, namely the establishment of a new regional mandatory for all ships with a total tonnage 300 or more are not allowed to anchor boats in the region and avoid the proposed PSSA.

6. Additional amendments to the IBC Code

MEPC will consider draft amendments through chapters 17, 18 and 19 of the IBC Code approved by MSC 90 session.

7. The guidelines for wastewater treatment equipment

MEPC reviewed the draft Guidelines through 2012 on the application of standards and test functions effluent of sewage treatment equipment. Expected to give guidance to apply new regulations (expected take effect from 01 May 2016 01) for the waste water treatment equipment installed on other ships or in special areas under Accessories IV MARPOL continent.

8. Assessment Program Required

MEPC will adopt the draft Code enforcement of IMO instruments (Code III) set the standard for evaluation of IMO program and to approve the draft amendments to MARPOL to take the third and rated Code Reviews are mandatory under MARPOL IMO.

The aim is through MARPOL amendments in 2014 soon after the Code was adopted at the third session of the General Assembly in 2013.

9. Code recognized organization (RO Code)

MEPC is expected to approve the draft Code recognized organization (RO) and draft amendments relating to Annexes I and II of MARPOL and put the Code into mandatory to adopt at a meeting in future.

Code will offer a consolidated text including standards for recognized organizations to carry out the inspection and certification of ships on behalf of the government must be assessed and recognized and given instructions to maritime authorities monitor the activities of these organizations.