IMO: 2023 Guidelines for Thermal Waste Treatment Devices

The International Maritime Organization published the 2023 Guidelines for Thermal Waste Treatment Devices.

This document is Annex 8 to Resolution MEPC.373(80), which was adopted on 7 July 2023.

Foreword

The Marine Environment Protection Committee, recalling Article 38(a) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (the Committee) conferred upon it by international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution from ships,

Recalling also that, at its fifty-eighth session, the Committee adopted, by resolution MEPC.176(58), a revised MARPOL Annex VI, which mentions in paragraph 5.2 of regulation 16 that this regulation should not preclude the development, installation, and operation of alternative design shipboard thermal waste treatment devices that meet or exceed the requirements of this regulation,

Noting that regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI allows the use of alternative compliance methods at least as effective in terms of emissions reductions as those required by the Annex,

Recognizing the need to develop guidelines for the use of thermal waste treatment devices as alternative methods to comply with the standards set forth in regulation 16 on shipboard incineration,

Having considered, at its eightieth session, 2023 Guidelines for Thermal Waste Treatment Devices (TWTD) (hereinafter referred to as the "2023 TWTD Guidelines"), prepared by the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response at its tenth session,

Adopts the 2023 TWTD Guidelines, as set out in the annex to the present resolution;

Invites Administrations to take the annexed Guidelines into account in developing provisions for regulating the use of thermal waste treatment devices as equivalent means of compliance in accordance with regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI;

Requests Parties to MARPOL Annex VI and other Member Governments to bring the 2023 TWTD Guidelines to the attention of shipowners, ship operators, shipbuilders, marine equipment manufacturers and any other interested groups;

Agrees to keep these Guidelines under review in light of experience gained with their application.

Introduction
General – Basis of these Guidelines
Definitions
Emission Limits
Functional Objectives and TWTD Technical Report
Certification process

Annex Form of TWTD Certificate

Introduction

1.1 These Guidelines cover the approval, certification, and in-service controls applicable to thermal waste treatment devices (TWTD) as equivalent means, under regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI, to incinerators as covered by regulation 16 of that Annex and as specifically provided for by paragraphs 1 and 5.2 of that regulation.

1.2 These Guidelines, as directed by PPR 6, are written on the basis of a technology-neutral, goal-based approach that can be applied to any thermal waste treatment device using, for example, gasification, hydrothermal carbonization, pyrolysis, plasma or other thermal means for the disposal of permitted garbage and other shipboard wastes generated during a ship's normal service.

1.3 As an alternative to conventional incinerators, as a means of disposal of garbage and other shipboard wastes, these thermal waste treatment devices remain subject to the same prohibitions as to those materials which are not to be so disposed of as given in regulation 16.2 of MARPOL Annex VI.

1.4 A TWTD certified in accordance with these Guidelines should meet Performance Level 1 in terms of emissions to air which is comparable to the emission limit requirements given in the 2014 Standard specification for shipboard incinerators (resolution MEPC.244(66), as amended) – this Performance Level should be demonstrated by in-service emission measurements. Where there is a related water discharge to sea, that also should be controlled as given in these Guidelines.

1.5 Additionally, an applicant may request certification to Performance Level 2. In that case not only should the Performance Level 1 requirements be met but there are detailed additional testing requirements which should be met prior to approval as an equivalent means together with tighter in-service emission limits.

General – Basis of these Guidelines

2.1 In order to be "technology-neutral," these Guidelines follow a goal-based approach, the basis of which is:

The in-service monitoring and recording of specified emissions.
The identification of relevant Functional Objectives.
The applicant-proposed/demonstrated resolution of each Functional Objective by means of an applicant-compiled Thermal Waste Treatment Device Technical Report. The aspects which should be covered as part of that TWTD Technical Report may include, but are not limited to, the items listed in table 2 as given in these Guidelines.

2.2 The TWTD Technical Report should be assessed for completeness in respect of the Functional Objectives by the reviewing Administration and further developed by the applicant as considered necessary by the Administration together with such physical surveys as required of the device in production and, as a unit, as installed and in operation.

This TWTD Technical Report should thereafter form the basis of the overall approval package of that thermal waste treatment device as an equivalent means to incineration for permitted onboard garbage and waste disposal.

Thereafter individual unit certification should be in accordance with the procedures as agreed in respect of the related Functional Objective – Unit certification resulting in the issue to each unit of a TWTD Certificate, the form of which is given in the annex, and the approval of that unit's TWTD File.

2.3 These Guidelines cover only the MARPOL Annex VI, prevention of air pollution, aspects related to the use of TWTD. The manufacturer, installer, shipowner, and others, as applicable, are responsible for ensuring that all other relevant statutory requirements, together with relevant classification requirements, are complied with as and where appropriate.

2.4 These Guidelines may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment.

These Guidelines do not purport to address the safety aspects associated with the use of thermal waste treatment devices.

It is the responsibility of the user of these Guidelines to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory and classification limitations prior to use, including possible port State limitations.

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