DG Shipping and IME(I) Mumbai Branch Host Seminar on MEPC 82 Outcomes

The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), in collaboration with the Institute of Marine Engineers (India) [IME(I)], organized a comprehensive seminar on the outcomes of the 82nd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting at IMO, London. This seminar was held at the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) Head Office in Powai, Mumbai, this event gathered India’s leading maritime professionals and policymakers to discuss the latest international regulations and technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing maritime safety, and protecting the ocean environment.

The event began with a welcome address by David Birwadkar, Chairman of IME(I) Mumbai Branch. Chief Guest, Shyam Jagannathan, IAS Director General of Shipping, addressed the gathering, underscoring India’s proactive stance in aligning with global maritime sustainability goals. Guests of Honour included Ajithkumar Sukumaran, Chief Surveyor-cum-Addl. DG (Engg.), Directorate General of Shipping, and PK Mishra, Managing Director of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), who emphasized the industry’s collective responsibility in transitioning towards eco-friendly practices.

Vikrant Rai, Principal Officer of the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) Kolkata, led India’s delegation to MEPC 82 and delivered the keynote address. He detailed India’s contributions to the committee’s extensive agenda, which included ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategies, lifecycle assessments of marine fuels, and energy efficiency measures. Other members of India’s delegation present at the seminar included Rajeev Nayyer, Mudit Mehrotra, B. Venkat, Devrup Kabi, and J. Senthil Kumar & Mahesh Subramanian each of whom led discussions on specialized topics.

Shobhit Kapoor, Head of the Technical Sub-Committee, served as the moderator, guiding the discussions and providing insights into the regulatory and technical aspects of the MEPC 82 outcomes.

The seminar covered the following critical outcomes from MEPC 82:

1. Reduction of GHG Emissions: Vikrant Rai, alongside Rajeev Nayyer and Mudit Mehrotra, highlighted MEPC’s evolving GHG reduction strategy. India supported the adoption of a flexible GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI) standard and promoted sustainable fuel initiatives.

 2. Short-Term GHG Reduction Measures: B. Venkat presented on the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and other short-term measures, focusing on compliance challenges and the benefits of enhanced data granularity.

3. Air Pollution Prevention: Presentations by Devrup Kabi and J. Senthil Kumar detailed the designation of new Emission Control Areas (ECAs) in the Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea, aiming to reduce air pollutants like sulphur and nitrogen oxides.

4. Ballast Water Management: Rajeev Nayyer and Mahesh Subramanian shared India’s insights on ballast water management, including updated guidelines to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms, with a special focus on handling challenging water quality conditions.

5. Compliance with Basel Convention: J. Senthil Kumar discussed India’s initiatives in ship recycling, aligning with both the Hong Kong and Basel Conventions, ensuring that India’s shipbreaking industry meets international environmental standards.

Participants engaged in a Q&A session, where they explored practical challenges in adapting to MEPC’s new regulatory standards and discussed strategies for enhancing India’s role in maritime environmental governance. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Sonali Banerjee.

The Institute of Marine Engineers (India) is committed to advancing the maritime engineering profession in India. Through seminars, workshops, and advocacy, IME(I) supports India’s maritime community in meeting the global industry’s evolving demands.