The IMO MEPC 76 adopted a short-term annual ship CO2 intensity reduction target aimed at meeting the target set in the Initial GHG Strategy – to reduce carbon intensity of all ships by 40% by 2030, compared to 2008. These will be mandatory measures under MARPOL Annex VI.
Reports say the measures adopted at MEPC 76 represent an estimated 11% improvement by 2026 compared to 2019 levels, what was considered as ‘weak’ by major IMO member states, including the US, UK and the EU, as well as environmental groups.
The mandatory measures will bring in:
- Attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) is required to be calculated for ships of 400 gt and above, in accordance with the different values set for ship types and size categories. This indicates the energy efficiency of the ship compared to a baseline. Ships are required to meet a specific required Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), which is based on a required reduction factor (expressed as a percentage relative to the EEDI baseline).
- Annual operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) and CII rating.
The CII determines the annual reduction factor needed to ensure continuous improvement of the ship’s operational carbon intensity within a specific rating level. The actual annual operational CII achieved (attained annual operational CII) would be required to be documented and verified against the required annual operational CII.
This would enable the operational carbon intensity rating to be determined. The rating would be given on a scale – operational carbon intensity rating A, B, C, D or E – indicating a major superior, minor superior, moderate, minor inferior, or inferior performance level. The performance level would be recorded in the ship’s Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP).
A ship rated D for three consecutive years, or E, would have to submit a corrective action plan, to show how the required index (C or above) would be achieved.
Administrations, port authorities and other stakeholders as appropriate, are encouraged to provide incentives to ships rated as A or B.
In simple terms, the short-term term measures are aimed at achieving the carbon intensity reduction aims of the IMO initial GHG Strategy. They do this by requiring all ships to calculate their Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and to establish their annual operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) and CII rating,
…IMO explained.
In other words, ships get a rating of their energy efficiency (A, B, C, D, E – where A is the best). A ship running on a low carbon fuel clearly gets a higher rating than one running on fossil fuel.
However, there are many things a ship can do to improve its rating through various measures, such as hull cleaning to reduce drag; speed and routeing optimization; installation of low energy light bulbs; installation of solar/wind auxiliary power for accommodation services; etc.
Guidelines
The following comprehensive set of guidelines, adopted by MEPC 76, support the new requirements:
- 2021 Guidelines on the method of calculation of the attained energy efficiency existing ship index (EEXI);
- 2021 Guidelines on survey and certification of the energy efficiency existing ship index (EEXI);
- 2021 Guidelines on the shaft / engine power limitation system to comply with the EEXI requirements and use of a power reserve;
- 2021 Guidelines on operational carbon intensity indicators and the calculation methods (CII Guidelines, G1);
- 2021 Guidelines on the reference lines for use with operational Carbon Intensity Indicators (CII reference lines guidelines, G2);
- 2021 Guidelines on the operational carbon intensity reduction factors relative to reference lines (CII Reduction factor Guidelines, G3);
- 2021 Guidelines on the operational Carbon Intensity rating of ships (CII rating guidelines, G4).
