Public consultation begins on amendments to marine environment protection conventions

The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on the national adoption of convention amendments adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The amendments have been made to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments. The deadline for submitting comments is 3 October 2023. 

At its 79th session in December 2022, the MEPC adopted four resolutions that include legally binding amendments to MARPOL Annexes. As a result of the amendments, the Mediterranean will be subject to the same strict sulphur emission limit as the Baltic Sea. In addition, the amendments allow regional ship waste reception arrangements in the ports of the Arctic marine area. The resolutions included certain technical amendments to the form of the documentation required of vessels. 

At its 80th session in July 2023, the MEPC adopted one resolution updating the example form for the ballast water record book required of ships.

Next steps

The deadline for submitting comments is 3 October 2023. All organisations and private individuals may submit comments online at www.lausuntopalvelu.fi. After the consultation round, the amendments are to be proposed to the Government and the President of the Republic for adoption.

After the adoption, the amendments falling within the shared competence of the EU and its Member States must be enforced at the national level.

Inquiries:

Laura Sarlin, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 534 2063, laura.sarlin(at)gov.fi

Laura Rantanen, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 175, laura.rantanen(at)gov.fi