20.1 The Committee noted that the work programmes and provisional agendas of the BLG and FSI Sub-Committees and the work programmes of DSC, NAV, SLF and STW Sub-Committees, which contained items related to environment issues, were approved at MEPC 49 after MSC 77 and that the work programmes of agendas of these Sub-Committees would be further considered at MEPC 52 (October 2004) following MSC 78 (May 2004).

　

　

20.2 The Committee noted the proposal by Japan (MEPC 51/20) on the revision of MEPC/Circ.235 (Guidelines for systems for handling oily waters in machinery spaces of ships) by incorporating the design concepts of the Integrated Bilge Water Treatment System (IBTS) and its inclusion as a new item in the work programme of the DE Sub-Committee and the provisional agenda for DE 48 in 2005.

　

20.3 The Committee also noted additional information provided by Japan on the design concept of the IBTS and its significant performance in oily bilge water reduction compared to non-IBTS machinery space (MEPC 51/INF.6).

　

20.4 In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2.17 of the Guidelines on the organization and method of work of the MSC and MEPC and their subsidiary bodies (MSC/Circ.1099 - MEPC/Circ.405), the Chairman made a preliminary assessment on the proposed new work programme by Japan (MEPC 51/WP.1) and showed that the criteria for general acceptance provided in paragraph 2.9 of the Committees' Guidelines have been met.

　

20.5 Having considered the proposal by Japan, the Committee agreed to include a high-priority item on the revision of MEPC/Circ.235 in the work programme of the DE Sub-Committee and in the agenda of DE 48 with a target completion date of 2006.

　

　

20.6 The Chairman, in referring to document MEPC 51/11/4, informed the Committee that Assembly, by resolution A.943(23), approved the long-term work plan of the Organization for the period up to 2010 and requested the Council, MSC, LC, MEPC, TCC and FC to keep their respective lists of subjects under review in the light of developments in the work of the Organization.

　

20.7 The Chairman also informed the Committee that the Assembly noted with appreciation the information on the significant progress made by the MEPC in the long-term work plan of the Organization up to 2008 adopted by resolution A.907(22).

　

　

20.8 The Committee considered and approved the substantive items to be included in the agendas for MEPC 52, MEPC 53 and MEPC 54 (MEPC 51/WP.2) as amended, which are set out at annex 14.

　

　

20.9 The Committee agreed, in principle, to establish the following working/drafting groups at MEPC 52:

　

　

20.10 The Committee agreed to establish an intersessional correspondence group on ship recycling.

　

20.11 The terms of reference of the correspondence group are set out at annex 4 (see paragraph 3.42.8).

　

　

20.12 The Committee agreed to hold an intersessional meeting of the Ballast Water Working Group during the week before MEPC 52.

　

20.13 The Committee confirmed that the OPRC-OPRC/HNS Technical Group would meet during the week prior to MEPC 52 and report to the Committee on the outcome of its work.

　

20.14 With regard to the intersessional meetings of the ESPH Working Group, the Committee noted that, as there was no additional work for ESPH, it was agreed that ESPH needed only one intersessional meeting during 2004 (30 August to 3 September 2004). The Committee noted further that ESPH might need to hold one intersessional meeting in 2005 (see paragraph 11.50).

　

　

20.15 The Committee noted that MEPC 52 would be held from 11 to 15 October 2004 and that MEPC 53 was tentatively scheduled from 18 to 22 July 2005.

　

　

21.1 The Committee noted the information provided by Estonia in the document MEPC 51/21, which outlined some of the adverse environmental effects arising from the wake wash of fast ferries, particularly in areas with low natural hydrodynamic activity of so called low-energy coasts and suggesting it as a qualitative key forcing factor in certain environmental processes.

　

　

21.2 The Committee was informed that the twenty-second extraordinary session of the Council decided to refer the application of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) to the Committee and the MSC for advice.

　

21.3 The Committee established an informal group on consultative status under the chairmanship of Mr. G. Fernández (Panama) to consider the application in accordance with the Rules Governing Relationships with Non-Governmental International Organizations and report back to plenary.

　

21.4 Having considered the report of the informal group (MEPC 51/WP.8), the Committee agreed to recommend to the Council that consultative status could not be granted to IBIA at this time.

　

　

21.5 The Committee noted that the annex to document MEPC 51/21/2 contained the draft Guidelines on the access of news media to the proceedings of institutionalized committees and of their subsidiary bodies submitted by Cyprus to the ninetieth session of the Council, which was considered by the Council and the Council agreed, in principle, to the desirability of the Organization to address the issue of the news media attendance at IMO meetings.

　

21.6 In the ensuing discussion, many delegations underscored the importance of transparency and openness of IMO meetings by allowing the attendance of news media. Unless there was a specific reason to the contrary, the proceedings of IMO Committees and their subsidiary bodies should be open to the news media and their reporting of such deliberations should be encouraged. One delegation stated that the guiding principle should be to let people know about the meetings of IMO.

　

21.7 The Secretary-General stated that he wished to comment on the issue after listening to the debate at the other Committees which the Council had invited to offer their comments before it decided on this delicate issue at its June session. He advised the Committee that his approach to the issue was rather liberal and derived from his acceptance of the role of the representatives of the specialized maritime press as one of partnership, that is, they were also servants of the same industry as ourselves in a common effort to enhance safety, security and environmental protection. It was therefore appropriate that they were treated as partners. If such an understanding could be reached between IMO and the maritime press representatives, a system could be established towards building the necessary climate of trust and co-operation, which would assist us all to move forward in the achievement of our objectives.

　

21.8 The Chairman drew to the attention of the Committee that, under the present Rules of Procedure, the meetings of the Committee shall be held in private unless the Committee decides otherwise.

　

21.9 The Committee agreed on the need for transparency and openness for IMO meetings. However, some guidelines were necessary to maintain the right balance between publicity for the work of the Organization whilst, at the same time, maintaining an efficient and effective conduct of IMO meetings. The Council should be advised accordingly.

　

　

21.10 The Committee noted the information provided by Australia in the document MEPC 51/INF.8 concerning the Australian Marine Environment Protection Association (AUSMEPA), which was a partnership of concerned government and maritime industry representatives in Australia to increase awareness for the protection of the marine environment. The representative of HELMEPA provided information regarding HELMEPA activities. Answering a question from the representative of HELMEPA, the Chairman indicated that the subject of co-operation amongst Marine Environment Protection Associations (MEPAs) could be discussed at this stage under the agenda item "Any other business".

　

　

21.11 The Committee recalled that the Joint MSC/MEPC/TCC Working Group on the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme (JWGMSA) was first convened in June 2003. The Council, at its ninetieth session, established the Council Correspondence Group on the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme to continue the work on the development of the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme, under the co-ordination of Denmark.

　

21.12 The Committee noted that the second session of the JWGMSA was held from 22 to 26 March 2004 under the Chairmanship of Mr. R. Kilvington (New Zealand) to consider the work of the Correspondence Group. Urgent matters for consideration by the Committee were contained in the document MEPC 51/WP.12.

　

21.13 The Committee noted that the Working Group considered the draft [Member State] Audit Standard and the outcome of FSI 12 on the draft Code for the implementation of [mandatory] IMO instruments (JWGMSA 2/WP.3 and FSI 12/WP.3).

　

21.14 The Committee noted further that the Working Group acknowledged the progress made on the draft Code, and agreed, in principle, that the draft Code should be the basis of the Audit Standard. Further work was, however, considered necessary to ensure that the draft Code would fully meet the requirements of an Audit Standard. To that extent, it should be further evaluated against the draft [Member State] Audit Standard set out in annex 1, Part III of document JWGMSA 2/1 (Report of the Council Correspondence Group on the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme). This should also extend to the consideration of an audit checklist (annex 4 of the JWGMSA 2/1).

　

21.15 The Committee also noted that the Working Group recommended that MEPC 51 and MSC 78 should give consideration to amending the terms of reference of the FSI Sub-Committee Correspondence Group for the further development of the draft Code for the implementation of [mandatory] IMO instruments, bearing in mind the role of the draft Code in respect of the audit scheme, and adjust the draft Code, as appropriate, taking into account the draft [Member State] Audit Standard set out in JWGMSA 2/1, Annex 1, Part III. TC 54 should be informed of this request.

　

21.16 The Committee endorsed the inclusion, in the Terms of Reference of the FSI Sub-Committee Correspondence Group on the further development of the draft Code for the implementation of [mandatory] IMO instruments, the need for the draft Code to be developed in such a manner that it would serve as the Audit Standard, taking into account the draft [Member State] Audit Standard set out in JWGMSA 2/1, Annex 1, Part III.

　

　

21.17 The Committee expressed deep appreciation to Mr. A. Chrysostomou (Chairman of the Committee), to Mr. G. Fernández (Vice-Chairman of the Committee and Chairman of the Informal Group on Consultative Status), to Mr. M. Hunter (Chairman of the Working Group on Ballast Water), to Capt. M. Ahmed (Chairman of the Working Group on Ship Recycling), to Mr. B. Okamura (Chairman of the Working Group on Air Pollution), to Mr. Z. Alam (Chairman of the Drafting Group on Amendments to MARPOL Annexes IV and V), to Mr. P. Nelson (Chairman of the Informal Technical Group on PSSAs) and to Mrs. M. Tiemens-Idzinga (Chairman of the Drafting Group on the IBC Code) for their outstanding contribution to the success of MEPC 51.

　

21.18 The Committee, noting that this was the last session that Mr. J.V. Crayford, Senior Technical Officer of the Organization's Marine Environment Division, would attend, also expressed deep appreciation for his commendable contribution to the work of the Committee over many years, especially for his outstanding work relating to the revision of MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code.