New regulation from the IMO, which will require existing ships to reduce carbon emissions, is due to enter into force in just under one year. As compliance will benefit to a large extent from co-operation between shipowners and charterers, BIMCO has developed a new clause to address the changes.
Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI are due to enter into force on 1 November 2022, with the requirements for the EEXI certification coming into effect from 1 January 2023.
The new regulation will require existing ships to improve their efficiency roughly to be in line with the EEDI requirement for new ships today.
For a large part of the global fleet, getting the EEXI certification for a ship may mean applying technical modifications, primarily through engine power limitation (EPL) or shaft power limitation (SHAPOLI)
says BIMCO.
The new EEXI Transition Clause can be used in both existing and future time charter parties. It addresses the relationship between shipowners and charterers in the context of compliance with the new regulation where technical modifications and logical amendments to charter party descriptions and warranties are required.
Taking the above into consideration and as the shipping industry is facing more regulation aimed at reducing shipping’s CO2 emissions going forward, BIMCO notes that the need for new contracts and clauses is increasing.
The upcoming regulatory changes will impact the way ships can be operated in the future and require a new approach to the contractual relationship between owners and charterers
stated Peter Eckhardt of German shipowner F. Laeisz, who heads the drafting team.
In addition to EEXI, Søren Larsen, Deputy Secretary General at BIMCO, informed that they are also developing clauses for emissions trading systems (ETS) and the carbon intensity indicator (CII) regime to meet the future challenges for the industry.
