The United Nations' International Maritime Organization's Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases (BLG) has just held its 16th session in London.


One of the subjects on the agenda was the effect on the Arctic regions of black carbon emitted from international shipping.

The Sub-Committee discussed how to define black carbon from international shipping and how to measure the effect in the Arctic regions.

This work was not finalised at the meeting, but the Sub-Committee decided to continue the work in a correspondence group until the next meeting. Furthermore, one would ask the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) to put this issue on the agenda of the BLG Sub-Committee in the future.

In addition, the following issues were discussed at this session of the BLG Sub-Committee:

- The drafting of guidelines for sampling in connection with the Ballast Water Management Convention (at present, Denmark is preparing ratification of the Ballast Water Management Convention.

- The use of natural gas as an alternative fuel in the light of the strict sulphur requirements entering into force in 2015 and the necessary safety regulations concerning ships' use of gas as fuel.

Source: Danish Maritime Authority