November 20, 2020

IMO approves draft new global C02 emissions rules for shipping

Pictured: bubbles of carbon dioxide; credit-Spiff from Wikipedia

Draft amendments to the international marine pollution treaty to cut the carbon intensity of existing ships have been approved by the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee.

The draft amendments will now be put forward for formal adoption next year. The MARPOL treaty (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) requires draft amendments to be circulated for a minimum six months before adoption. Changes enter into force after a minimum 16 months following adoption.

The draft amendments to MARPOL would require ships to combine a technical and an operational approach to reduce their carbon intensity.

Today’s rules

Current requirements are based on the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships, which means that ships are designed and built to be more energy efficient than a baseline. There is also a mandatory Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships. The SEEMP requires ship operators to have a plan to improve energy efficiency through a variety of specific measures.

The draft amendments add further requirements by adding an assessment and measurement of the energy efficiency of all ships; they will also set required attainment values.

The draft includes a technical requirement to reduce carbon intensity, based on a new Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), and an operational carbon intensity reduction requirement, based on a new operational carbon intensity indicator.

Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index

EEXI will be calculated for ships of 400 gross tons* 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 EEXI based on a required reduction factor (expressed as a percentage relative to the EEDI baseline).

Annual operational carbon intensity indicator

Ships are already required to collect date on fuel oil consumption. The carbon intensity indicator determines an annual reduction factor to ensure continuous improvement of the ship’s operational carbon intensity within a specific rating level.

The actual annual operational carbon intensity indicator will be documented and verified against an annual operational CII. This will enable an operational carbon intensity rating to be determined. The rating will be given on an A-E scale where “A” is “major superior” and “E” is “inferior performance”.

The performance level will be recorded in the ship’s Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan.

A ship rated “D” or “E” for three consecutive years would have to submit a corrective action plan to show how a “C” level can be reached.

IMO greenhouse gas reductions strategy

The IMO’s initial greenhouse gas strategy envisages a reduction in carbon intensity of international shipping of 40% by 2030 and by 70% by 2050 when compared to 2008. The strategy calls for total annual GHG emissions from international shipping to be reduced by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008.

The strategy includes a specific reference to “a pathway of CO2 emissions reduction consistent with the Paris Agreement temperature goals” and with a revised strategy to be adopted in 2023.

* NOTE: a “gross ton” is NOT a measurement of weight. It is a measurement of the internal space inside an ocean-going ship.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Search

Become a Member

Membership is open to all ship owners, operators and agents both Australian and International providing services to or within Australia.

Upcoming Events

May 8
Shipping Australia QLD Shipping Industry Golf Day
Join friends and colleagues for an enjoyable day, followed by a sumptuous dinner at the 2024 SAL QLD Shipping Industry Golf Day. The Golf Day will once again be held at the Wynnum Golf Club (located in beautiful Bayside and meanders over 31 hectares of picturesque parkland) on 8th May 2024. Ticket price includes: Light...
May 16
Shipping Australia Victoria 2024 Golf Day
The 8th Phil Kelly OAM Perpetual Golf Challenge Latrobe Golf Club, 8 Farm Road, Alphington VIC 3078 Format – 4 Ball Ambrose Thursday 16th May 2024 The 2024 SAL VIC Golf Day will be held on Thursday 16th May 2024 at the scenic Latrobe Golf Club.  Come along and enjoy a great course and scenery. ...

Latest News

Wollongong has a “promising” future for shipping, says NSW Planning Minister
Wollongong, as a centre for industry, mining, and shipping has “promising” future, the Hon Paul Scully MP, Member for Wollongong and the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces told guests to the Shipping Australia Port Kembla Biennial Luncheon. The Minister told guests that, in January, the Freight Policy Reform Program began and it will...
Shipping Australia Victoria 2024 Golf Day: The 8th Phil Kelly OAM Perpetual Golf Challenge
The 2024 SAL VIC Golf Day will be held on Thursday 16th May 2024 at the scenic Latrobe Golf Club. Come along and enjoy a great course and scenery. Latrobe Golf Club is a beautiful course in the leafy suburb of Alphington, just 10 Km from Melbourne’s CBD. It is bordered on two sides by...

Latest Magazine

Shipping Australia – Annual Review 2023
January, 2024

Subscribe to the Signal Newsletter

Be the first to know about releases and industry news and insights or catch up on any editions you missed.