Marina seeks to improve energy efficiency for shipping

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) recently held the 3rd National Task Force (NTF) Meeting of the Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships (GloMEEP) Project in an effort to improve the implementation of energy efficient measures for the shipping industry.

Titled Transforming the Global Maritime Industry towards a Low Carbon Future through Improved Energy Efficiency, the GloMEEP project is a Global Environment Facility (GEF)- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)- International Maritime Organization (IMO) two-year project aimed at supporting increased uptake and implementation of energy efficiency measures for shipping.

Chaired by Marina Deputy Administrator for Operations Capt. Alfredo Vidal Jr., the NTF meeting was attended by NTF consultants – Chief Engr. Rodolfo Paiso, Atty. Brenda Pimentel and Diane Factuar; NTF members – Department of Transportation, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Energy and local stakeholders – Phil. Inter-Island Shipping Association, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers Inc., Metro Manila Shipyards Association Inc. and Philippine Association of Maritime Training Center Inc.

Ms. Factuar presented report on Rapid Assessment for Determining the Country Maritime Energy Efficiency and Emissions Status of the Philippines which aims to establish a comprehensive understanding of current status and trends of shipping and maritimerelated emissions and ship energy efficiency and review policy, regulatory and institutional mechanisms and intervention that can be developed and implemented to reduce ship’s emissions and promote low carbon and other emission abatement technologies.

C/E Paiso tackled the Maritime Energy Efficiency National Strategy which aims to ratify and implement MARPOL (Marine Pollution Convention) Annex VI, enact a local MARPOL law to include domestic fleet, DomesticCertificate of Competency holders to have acquired training in MSRPOL I-VI and amend relevant regulations and circulars, among others.

Atty. Pimentel presented the Incorporation of MARPOL Annex VI into National Law which focuses on determining and reviewing existing national policies which can incorporate provisions relating to Chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI and identified challenges to ratification/accession and the development of legislation

GloMEEP was officially launched during the IMO-Singapore FutureReady Shipping 2015 Conference on Sept. 28, 2015. The project title is geared on focusing on building capacity to implement technical and operational measures in developing countries where shipping is increasingly concentrated. The Project is also created for the successful implementation of Annex VI ( Air Pollution) of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) 1973, as modified by Protocol of 1978. GloMEEP aspires for the creation of a strong partnership and coordinated actions between 10 developing countries and, at each country level, systematically pursue legal, policy, and institutional reforms; awareness-raising and capacity building activities; and establishment of public-private partnerships to encourage technology transfer.

The 10 Lead Pilot Countries (LPCs) are Argentina, China, Georgia, India, Jamaica, Malaysia, Morocco, Panama, South Africa, and Philippines.

The Meeting concluded with a request for continuous participation and coordination of the NTF members. (ourmaritimeworld.com)