By way of background, it should be recalled that a
new set of technical and operational measures38 to
increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions
of GHGs from international shipping (IMO, 2011,
annex 19) had been adopted in 2012. This package of
measures, introducing EEDI for new ships and the Ship
Energy Efficiency Management Plan for all ships, was
added by way of amendments to MARPOL annex VI
“Regulations on the prevention of air pollution from
ships”, through the introduction of a new chapter 4
entitled “Regulations on energy efficiency for ships”, and
entered into force on 1 January 2013. Guidelines and
unified interpretations to assist in the implementation
of this set of technical and operational measures were
subsequently adopted by IMO in October 2012 and
in May 2013. In addition, a “Resolution on Promotion
of Technical Cooperation and Transfer of Technology
relating to the Improvement of Energy Efficiency of
Ships” was adopted in May 2013, and agreement was
reached on the initiation of a new study to carry out an
update to the IMO 2009 GHG emissions estimate for
international shipping.The issue of possible marketbased
measures for the reduction of GHG emissions
from international shipping continued to remain
controversial, and further discussion was postponed
to a future session.39 Information about relevant
deliberations and outcomes during the period under
review is presented below.