The International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) will meet for its 84th session in person at IMO headquarters in London from 27 April to 1 May 2026, with remote participation possible.

The meeting will be chaired by Dr Harry Conway, with Mr Hanqiang Tan serving as vice-chair.

Among the agenda highlights, the committee will consider draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI for adoption, including designation of the North-East Atlantic as an Emission Control Area for Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Oxides and Particulate Matter.

The committee will also consider draft amendments related to data reporting under regulations 27 and 28, under Appendix IX information to be submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database, as well as changes aimed at making the IMO data collection system on ship fuel consumption more accessible to the public.

Discussions on IMO’s next set of regulatory measures under the IMO Net-Zero Framework will continue at MEPC 84 after talks were adjourned in October 2025. A total of 57 documents have been submitted for consideration under agenda item 7 on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

The Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships is scheduled to meet from 20 to 24 April and will report to MEPC. The group is expected to further develop guidelines to support the implementation of elements of the proposed IMO Net-Zero Framework, as well as the life cycle assessment framework and draft terms of reference for the planned 5th IMO GHG Study.

The committee is expected to finalise and adopt draft 2026 guidelines for test bed and onboard measurements of CH4 and/or N2O emissions from marine diesel engines, along with draft guidelines for engine load monitoring and continuous emission monitoring systems.

MEPC will initiate phase 2 of the review of IMO’s short-term greenhouse gas reduction measures adopted in 2021, including the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index, enhanced Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan and Carbon Intensity Indicator rating scheme.

MEPC is also expected to approve draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI that require new crude oil tankers to install pressure-vacuum devices to control the release of volatile organic compounds and reduce air pollution.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez is scheduled to deliver opening remarks on Monday, 27 April at 9.30am, followed by an in-person press Q&A from 2pm to 2.30pm.