IMO agrees on a revised action plan to tackle marine plastic litter

The IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response have agreed on the draft 2025 Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships, with a view to its approval by the Marine Environment Protection Committee at its upcoming session from 7-11 April 2025 (MEPC 83). 

This milestone was achieved along with other key outcomes at the 12th session of the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response, which was held at IMO Headquarters in London last week (27-31 January). The meeting was chaired by Dr. Anita Mäkinen of Finland.   

The 2025 Action Plan was prepared following a revision of the initial Action Plan approved in 2018, taking into account actions that had been completed since its approval. The actions included in the draft 2025 Action Plan are set for completion by 2030 and aim at the following main outcomes: 

Reduction of the contribution from fishing vessels to marine plastic litter 

Reduction of shipping’s contribution to marine plastic litter 

Enhanced public awareness, education and seafarer training 

Improvement of the effectiveness of port reception facilities and treatment in reducing marine plastic litter  

Improved understanding of the contribution of ships to marine plastic litter 

Strengthened international cooperation. 

The Sub-Committee updated the timeframes for the expected completion of the actions, grouping them according to short-, mid-, long-term and continuous actions. 

The draft 2025 Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships includes a dedicated action for the development of mandatory measures to reduce the environmental risks of plastic pellets transported by sea in freight containers.  

To inform future discussions on the legal framework for introducing such measures, the Sub-Committee developed a table outlining various considerations, including advantages, limitations and impacts relating to possible amendments to mandatory instruments linked to the carriage of plastic pellets by sea. 

The Sub-Committee also agreed to draft Guidance on in-water cleaning of ships’ biofouling, together with an associated draft MEPC circular, for approval by MEPC 83. The draft guidance supports the ‘2023 Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species’ (2023 Biofouling Guidelines), providing guidance for the safe planning and execution of in-water cleaning operations, as well as the design and performance of in-water cleaning systems, while addressing risks to the environment and ship coatings.  

The Sub-Committee also approved draft amendments to the ‘2023 Guidelines for the development of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials’ and the associated draft MEPC resolution, with a view to adoption by MEPC 83 and implementation prior to the entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention on 26 June 2025. These draft amendments clarify the relevant threshold values in respect to cybutryne when samples are directly taken from the hull or when samples are taken from wet paint containers. 

Among other subjects the Sub-Committee discussed was the concept of “polar fuels” as a category of fuels aimed at contributing to a reduction of the impact on the Arctic of Black Carbon emissions from international shipping. A proposal for including characteristics that would address challenges faced during oil spill response in cold water conditions was also considered. 

The Sub-Committee invited Member States and international organizations to submit concrete proposals on the “polar fuels” concept to its next session (PPR 13), which could be supported by scientific studies and findings from Black Carbon measurement campaigns using the measurement reporting protocol set out in the ‘Guidelines on recommendatory Black Carbon emission measurement, monitoring and reporting’ (resolution MEPC.394(82)).