Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 7), 17 to 21 February 2020

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, good morning to you all.

It is a pleasure for me to welcome you to the seventh session of the Sub‑Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response. I particularly welcome those delegates who may be attending this Sub‑Committee for the first time.

Distinguished delegates,

I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words about this year's World Maritime theme, which is "Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet". This theme is intended to raise awareness of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, the SDGs, and showcase the work that IMO is undertaking to achieve the targets set by the SDGs.

The year 2020 will mark the beginning of a decade of action and delivery for the SDGs, not only for shipping but for the global community as a whole.

The shipping industry, supported by the IMO regulatory framework, has already started the transition towards a sustainable future through the adoption and continuous development of measures to address very important issues, such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the lower sulphur content of ships' fuel oil, the protection of the polar regions and the wider participation of women in the maritime community.

I would like to remind you that the World Maritime Day will be celebrated at IMO Headquarters on 24 September, and the annual parallel event will be organized by the Government of South Africa, in Durban, from 28 to 30 October.

Distinguished delegates,

We are now into the second month of 2020 and I am pleased to say that all indications point to a relatively smooth implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to IMO Member Governments, the shipping industry and all stakeholders, including shippers and the fuel oil supply industry, for their efforts so far and to ask for further cooperation to ensure IMO 2020 continues to be implemented properly and smoothly.

The next important target date is fast approaching, when carrying non‑compliant fuel oil on board ships becomes prohibited on 1 March 2020. I urge all shipowners, operators and masters to comply with the carriage ban, where applicable, when it comes into effect. IMO will remain vigilant and ready to respond and provide support as required.

The PPR Sub-Committee has been central to the aforementioned developments, and the hard work that all of you put in, particularly during the two previous sessions has meant that from a regulatory standpoint the necessary guidance was prepared, approved and issued in good time before 1 January 2020. 

With this, I now turn to the items on your agenda this week and I would like to highlight some of the key technical issues you will be considering.

With regard to prevention of air pollution, specifically in relation to the requirements of MARPOL Annex VI to limit sulphur oxides, you will need to finalize the draft guidelines for the verification of the sulphur content of the fuel oil carried for use on board a ship, to enable consistent implementation and enforcement of the upcoming prohibition on the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil. In addition, I urge you to complete the work on the revision of the 2015 Guidelines for exhaust gas cleaning systems to enhance their uniform application in light of recent technical developments and experience gathered from approvals and operation of such systems.

On a related note, you will commence the work on evaluation and harmonization of rules and guidance on the discharge of liquid effluents from EGCS into waters, including conditions and areas, and to that end I would like to thank GESAMP for establishing a Task Team to assess the available evidence relating to the environmental effects of discharge water from exhaust gas cleaning systems. I am pleased to note that the Task Team has submitted its report to this session to assist you in your deliberations. I would like to thank the members of the Task Team, particularly the Chair, Mr. Jan Linders, for their time and commitment to delivering on the terms of reference within very tight time constraints.

Distinguished delegates,

IMO has and continues to work diligently to ensure that shipping in Arctic waters is safe and that the environmental requirements for ships are suitable for the protection of the sensitive Arctic marine environment. In this context, I look forward to seeing further progress on your deliberation on the development of measures to reduce the risks of use and carriage of heavy fuel oil as fuel by ships in Arctic waters and on reduction of the impact on the Arctic of Black Carbon emissions from international shipping.

Let me turn my attention to the subject area of marine biosafety, under which a very substantial number of proposals have been submitted at this session, covering a wide variety of topics relating to ballast water, biofouling and anti-fouling systems.

Among the most important issues before you this week under marine biosafety, I would like to highlight:

-    the further consideration of the proposed amendment to Annex 1 to the AFS Convention to include controls on cybutryne;

-    the revision of the guidance on commissioning testing of ballast water management systems; and

• the initiation of the review of the Biofouling Guidelines.

Distinguished delegates,

Your workload for this week is heavy, many of the issues under consideration are delicate, and your time is at a premium. Your newly elected Chair, Dr. Flavio da Costa Fernandes of Brazil, with the support of the Vice-Chair, Dr. Anita Mäkinen of Finland, will guide you through your challenging agenda. I am confident that they can count on your support from the floor and that you will tackle the tasks before you this week successfully, inspired by the customary IMO spirit of cooperation. You can also count on the full support of the Marine Environment Division, ably led by its Director, Mr. Hiroyuki Yamada.

Finally, as is customary, all of you are cordially invited to a cocktail reception hosted in the Delegates' Lounge this evening after the closure of today's session.

And, with your indulgence, I would like to invite Dr. Bhatt, the Organization's Medical Adviser, to share his medical expertise on the Novel Coronavirus.

Thank you.

__________