Welcome the IMOs actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The first ever mandatory energy efficiency measures for international shipping, Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), were adopted last week. The breakthrough came at the 62nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held in London.
The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) are newly incorporated into the MARPOL Annex VI regulations, adding a new chapter 4 Regulations on Energy Efficiency for Ships. Both measures of EEDI and SEEMP are expected to enter into force on 1 January, 2013, to be applied to ships of 400 gross tonnage and over.
As a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) of worldwide ports that collaborate and provide input to the IMO, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) welcomed the IMOs actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping.
IAPH and its member base of approximately 200 ports worldwide welcomes and supports these significant policy developments by the International Maritime Organization, said IAPH President Geraldine Knatz, executive director of the Port of Los Angles.
These measures, coupled with global air quality improvement initiatives like the IAPH World Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI) and Environment Ship Index (ESI), demonstrate how we can collaborate at the port to port technical level, and at the international regulatory level, to achieve greater greenhouse gas emissions reduction in the international shipping industry.
The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) will be applied to new ships, setting standards of GHG emission for each ship categorized in ship type and size. The emission level is programmed to be reduced in four stages from 2013 to 2025, which will enable 30% reduction of GHG emission in 2025.
The Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan(SEEMP) will be introduced in all ships, newly built and existing, requesting ship operators to make efficient ship operation plans.
Source: Maritime Journal
