Road map: Goals and Main Steps

Milestones

Actions

2020-2021 biennium

• Continued assistance provided for the ratification and effective implementation of MARPOL Annex VI to the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, which so request.

Milestones

Actions

April – December 2020

• Completion of the necessary knowledge gathering;
• Carrying out of the further studies to more fully address the criteria and procedures for designation of emission control areas laid down in Appendix III to MARPOL Annex VI;
• Updating of the initial draft submission to the IMO based on the completed knowledge gathering and the further studies carried out as follows:

(a) Knowledge gathering:

·      synopsis of the assessment;

·      quantification of the impacts associated with deposition of PM_2.5 and air toxics;

·     additional detail of land-based emissions controls of SO_X and PM in the Mediterranean coastal States; and

·      additional elements on the economic impacts on shipping engaged in international trade.

   (b) Further studies:

·      additional economic impact evaluation, more precisely:

·      analyses of the impacts on shipping engaged in international trade as well as on trade modal shift outside the Mediterranean; and

·      analyses of the impacts on short-sea shipping activity as well on the social and economic impact on Contracting Parties including on development for islands, insular and remote areas.

·       additional fuel supply and technology analyses (regional fuel production, fuel availability, and alternative compliance technologies);

• Discussion within the SO_X ECA(s) Technical Committee of Experts that will be tasked to:
• review the outcome of the further studies; and
• review and validate the draft IMO submission.

by April 2021 (TBC)

• Submission of a Note by the Secretariat (REMPEC), including draft IMO submission, to the 14^th Meeting of the Focal Points of REMPEC.

May 2021 (TBC)

14^th Meeting of the Focal Points of REMPEC

• Review and consideration of the Note by the Secretariat (REMPEC), including draft IMO submission;
• Discussion on:
• • whether or not to submit a proposal to IMO for the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA;
  • the most appropriate timing for such a submission, if any; and
  • the effective date of entry into force of the proposed Med SO_X ECA, if any.
  • Endorsement of a joint and coordinated proposal for the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA to the IMO, if any.

by July 2021 (TBC)

• Submission of a draft COP Decision on the joint and coordinated proposal for the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA  to the IMO, to the Meeting of the MAP Focal Points.

(provided agreement was reached at the 14^th Meeting of the Focal Points of REMPEC)

September 2021 (TBC)

Meeting of the MAP Focal Points

• Approval of the draft COP Decision on the joint and coordinated proposal for the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA  to the IMO.

by October 2021 (TBC)

• Submission of draft COP Decision on the joint and coordinated proposal for the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA  to the IMO, to COP 22.

(provided agreement was reached at the Meeting of the MAP Focal Points)

December 2021 (TBC)

22^nd Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols (COP 22)

• Adoption of COP Decision on the joint and coordinated proposal for the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA  to the IMO.

Milestones

Actions

27 December 2019 (TBC)

(13-week deadline for the submission of documents (including information documents) containing more than six pages of text (bulky documents) to the 75^th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 75))

• Submission of an information document, prepared by REMPEC, related to the adoption of the COP Decision on the road map, to the IMO.

(provided agreement was reached at COP 21)

30 March – 3 April 2020 (TBC)

75^th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 75)

• Presentation by REMPEC of the information document related to the adoption of the COP Decision on the road map.

Milestones

Actions

by January 2022 (TBC)

(13-week deadline for the submission of documents (including information documents) containing more than six pages of text (bulky documents) to the 78^th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 78))

• Submission of the joint and coordinated proposal for the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA  to the IMO (along with a proposed amendment to MARPOL Annex VI).

(provided agreement was reached at COP 22)

April 2022 (TBC)

78^th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 78)

·       Presentation of the joint and coordinated proposal for the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA  ECA to the IMO (along with a proposed amendment to MARPOL Annex VI);

·       Assessment of and, agreement to, the said proposal, if any; and

·       Consideration and approval of a draft amendment to regulation 14 of MARPOL Annex VI related to the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA , if any, and request to the IMO Secretary-General to circulate it in accordance with article 16(2) of MARPOL, with a view to adoption at the next session of the IMO’s MEPC, if any.

by April 2022 (TBC)

(at least six months prior to its consideration)

• Circulation of the draft amendment to regulation 14 of MARPOL Annex VI related to the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA  by the IMO Secretary General to all Members of the Organization and all Parties.

(provided agreement was reached at MEPC 78)

October 2022 (TBC)

79^th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 79)

• Consideration and adoption of the draft amendment to regulation 14 of MARPOL Annex VI related to the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA , if any; and
• Determination of the date of bringing into force of the amendment to regulation 14 of MARPOL Annex VI related to the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA , if any, in accordance with article 16(2)(f)(iii) of MARPOL.

not earlier than 1 September 2023 (TBC)

(in accordance with article 16(2)(f)(iii) of MARPOL: “period shall be not less than ten months”)

• Deemed acceptance of the amendment to regulation 14 of MARPOL Annex VI related to the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA , if any.

(provided agreement was reached at MEPC 79, and unless prior to the proposed date, not less than one third of the Parties or Parties the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 50% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant fleet, have communicated to the Organization their objection to the amendment)

not earlier than 1 March 2024 (TBC)

(in accordance with article 16(2)(g)(ii) of MARPOL: “six months after its acceptance”)

• Bringing into force of the amendment to regulation 14 of MARPOL Annex VI related to the designation of the proposed Med SO_X ECA , if any.

TBC^[2]

• Effective entry into force of the Med SO_X ECA , if any.