Reducing atmospheric pollution from ships and improving air quality is an integral part of IMO's work. Under MARPOL Annex VI this principle is clearly enshrined. As a result a regional workshop on MARPOL Annex VI was held in Bangkok, Thailand (24-26 June).
The workshop, aimed at shipping stakeholders, strongly encouraged ratification and implementation of MARPOL Annex VI including regulations on ships' energy efficiency. Participants were reminded that proper implementation of the convention would have a significant beneficial impact on the atmospheric environment and on human health, particularly for people living in port cities and coastal communities.
The event also looked at new requirements for ships to cut sulphur oxide emissions, which enter into effect on 1 January 2020, marking a sea change in fuel used by ships. Participants also discussed port-related activities to facilitate reduction of GHG emissions from shipping.
The workshop was organized within the framework of the 'Energy Efficiency' programme of the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), with relevant contributions from IMO's major projects aimed at reducing atmospheric pollution from ships, namely GloMEEP and the EU-funded GMN project.