Rules on ship carbon intensity and rating system enter into force

IMO regulations to introduce carbon intensity measures enter into force on 1 November 2022.

Amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI enter into force on 1 November 2022. Developed under the framework of the Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships agreed in 2018, these technical and operational amendments require ships to improve their energy efficiency in the short term and thereby reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

From 1 January 2023 it will be mandatory for all ships to calculate their attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) to measure their energy efficiency and to initiate the collection of data for the reporting of their annual operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) and CII rating.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said: "the short-term GHG reduction measures, adopted in 2021, form a comprehensive set of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, which provide important building blocks for IMO's future mid-term greenhouse gas reduction measures."

"Decarbonizing international shipping is a priority issue for IMO and we are all committed to acting together in revising our strategy and enhancing our ambition," Mr. Lim said. "These latest amendments build on IMO energy-efficiency measures which were first adopted in 2011 and strengthened since - the CII and EEXI measures represent the next stage in our work to meet the targets set in the Initial IMO GHG Strategy."

"IMO Member States are currently actively engaged in the process of revising the Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships with a view to adoption of a revised Strategy in mid-2023. Member States are also engaged in developing a basket of candidate mid-term measures, including technical and economic elements, that will set global shipping on an ambitious path to phasing out GHG emissions towards the middle of this century. We are, in tandem, working to support Member States in their implementation of measures and to ensure that no one is left behind in this transition towards a decarbonized future for shipping" Mr. Lim said.

The amendments to MARPOL Annex VI are in force from 1 November 2022. The requirements for EEXI and CII certification come into effect on 1 January 2023. This means that the first annual reporting will be completed in 2023, with initial CII ratings given in 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions about the CII and EEXI measures

What are the new mandatory measures?

As a stimulus to reduce carbon intensity of all ships by 40% by 2030 compared to 2008 baseline, ships will be required to calculate two ratings: their attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) to determine their energy efficiency, and their annual operational Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and associated CII rating. Carbon intensity links the GHG emissions to the amount of cargo carried over distance travelled.

When do the measures come into force?

The measures are part of IMO's commitment under its 2018 Initial Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships to reduce carbon intensity from all ships by 40% by 2030 compared to 2008.

What is an Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI)?

A ship's attained EEXI indicates its energy efficiency compared to a baseline. Ships attained EEXI will then be compared to a required Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index based on an applicable reduction factor expressed as a percentage relative to the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) baseline. It must be calculated for ships of 400 gt and above, in accordance with the different values set for ship types and size categories. The calculated attained EEXI value for each individual ship must be below the required EEXI, to ensure the ship meets a minimum energy efficiency standard.

What is a Carbon Intensity Indicator rating?

The CII determines the annual reduction factor needed to ensure continuous improvement of a ship's operational carbon intensity within a specific rating level. The actual annual operational CII achieved must be documented and verified against the required annual operational CII. This enables the operational carbon intensity rating to be determined.

How will the new ratings work?

Based on a ship's CII, its carbon intensity will be rated A, B, C, D or E (where A is the best). The rating indicates a major superior, minor superior, moderate, minor inferior, or inferior performance level. The performance level will be recorded in a "Statement of Compliance" to be further elaborated in the ship's Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP).

A ship rated D for three consecutive years, or E for one year, will have to submit a corrective action plan to show how the required index of C or above will be achieved. Administrations, port authorities and other stakeholders as appropriate, are encouraged to provide incentives to ships rated as A or B.

A ship can run on a low-carbon fuel clearly to get a higher rating than one running on fossil fuel, but there are many things a ship can do to improve its rating, for instance through measures, such as:

hull cleaning to reduce drag;
speed and routeing optimization;
installation of low energy light bulbs; and
installation of solar/wind auxiliary power for accommodation services.

How do the measures fit into IMO's decarbonization strategy?

The introduction of mandatory EEXI and CII comes under the framework of the Initial IMO Strategy for Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, adopted in 2018. The Initial Strategy sets out candidate short- mid- and long-term measures.

The introduction of EEXI and CII measures falls under the Strategy's short-term measures which commit IMO to a target of reducing carbon intensity of international shipping by 40% by 2030, compared to 2008.

How will the impact of the new regulations be assessed?

IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) is to review the effectiveness of the implementation of the CII and EEXI requirements by 1 January 2026 at the latest and develop and adopt further amendments as required.

In adopting the measure, MEPC also considered the outcomes of a comprehensive impact assessment of the measure which examined potential negative impacts on States, and agreed to keep the impacts on States of the measure under review so that any necessary adjustments can be made. MEPC also agreed that disproportionately negative impacts of the measure should be assessed and addressed, as appropriate.

What about support for developing States in particular small island developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs)?

IMO has a comprehensive programme of support for developing States to implement IMO regulations. In addition to IMO's Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), the dedicated IMO GHG TC Trust Fund support developing countries with the implementation of the Initial IMO GHG Strategy, There are also a number of global projects specifically targeting GHG reduction measures, including: GreenVoyage2050; GHG SMART; NEXTGEN; IMO CARES; the Global MTCC Network; Innovation Forum. Read more: PartnershipsProjects

What is the next stage for IMO's GHG Strategy?

Member States are working on the revision of the Initial Strategy. The Revised Strategy is set to be adopted in mid-2023 at the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) session in July 2023.

What about mid- and long-Term IMO GHG reduction Measures?

IMO Member States have already initiated discussions on various proposals for IMO's next set of GHG reduction measures, such as a maximum carbon-content for marine fuels as well as on economic measures, such as a GHG levy, emissions trading scheme (ETS), feebate or an incentive scheme for zero emission vessels.

The work plan for looking at the development of these measures envisages:

Phase I: Collation and initial consideration of proposals for measures (spring 2021 to spring 2022) - completed;

Phase II: Assessment and selection of measure(s) to further develop (spring 2022 to spring 2023);

Phase III: Development of (a) measure(s) to be finalized within (an) agreed target date(s).

What about new and alternative fuels for ships?

New fuels will be crucial for decarbonizing the shipping sector. IMO held the Second IMO Symposium on low- and zero-carbon fuels for shipping: "Ensuring a just and inclusive transition towards low-carbon shipping" on 21 October 2022 to look at the challenges and opportunities that renewable fuel production represents in the context of shipping decarbonization, particularly for developing countries, SIDS and LDCs, while also assessing what other elements could constitute a just and equitable transition. Download presentations here: hIMO-Symposium-on-alternative-low--and-zero-carbon-fuels-for-shipping-2022.

Where can I download the regulations and guidelines?

Please download the revised MARPOL Annex VI (2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI) and related guidelines via this page: Index-of-MEPC-Resolutions-and-Guidelines-related-to-MARPOL-Annex-VI

Guidelines

The following comprehensive set of guidelines, adopted by MEPC 76, support the new requirements:

Resolution MEPC.350(78) - 2022 Guidelines on the method of calculation of the Attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI);
Resolution MEPC.351(78) - 2022 Guidelines on survey and certification of the Attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI);
Resolution MEPC.335(76) - 2021 Guidelines on the shaft/engine power limitation system to comply with the EEXI requirements and use of a power reserve;
Resolution MEPC.352(78) - 2022 Guidelines on operational carbon intensity indicators and the calculation methods (CII Guidelines, G1);
Resolution MEPC.353(78) - 2022 Guidelines on the reference lines for use with Operational Carbon Intensity Indicators (CII Reference Lines Guidelines, G2);
Resolution MEPC.338(76) - 2021 Guidelines on the operational carbon intensity reduction factors relative to reference lines (CII Reduction Factor Guidelines, G3);
Resolution MEPC.354(78) - 2022 Guidelines on the operational carbon intensity rating of ships (CII Rating Guidelines, G4);
Resolution MEPC.355(78) - 2022 interim Guidelines on correction factors and voyage adjustments for CII calculations (CII Guidelines, G5).

Which ships do the CII and EEXI regulations apply to?

In general, MARPOL Annex VI regulations apply to "all ships except where otherwise stated" (MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 1 Application The provisions of this Annex shall apply to all ships, except where expressly provided otherwise.)

The regulations on carbon intensity of international shipping in Chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI apply to all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above. Notwithstanding, the provisions of Chapter 4 do not apply to ships solely engaged in voyages within waters subject to the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the State the flag of which the ship is entitled to fly. However, each Party should ensure, by the adoption of appropriate measures, that such ships are constructed and act in a manner consistent with the requirements of chapter 4 of this Annex, so far as is reasonable and practicable. (Regulation 19 Application 1 This chapter shall apply to all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above.)

While EEXI generally applies to each ship of 400 gross tonnage and above, CII applies to ships 5,000 gross tonnage and above. Ships at or above 400 gross tonnage will need to be surveyed and issued with the appropriate certificates.

For survey and certification purposes, MARPOL Annex VI applies to every ship of 400 gross tonnage and above. (MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 5 Surveys 1 Every ship of 400 gross tonnage and above and every fixed and floating drilling rig or other platform shall….be subject to the surveys specified…)

The ships covered include: bulk carrier, gas carrier, tanker, containership, general cargo ship, refrigerated cargo carrier, combination carrier, LNG carrier, Ro-ro cargo ship, ro-ro passenger ship, cruise passenger ship.

EEXI

EEXI applies to: ".1 each ship; and .2 each ship which has undergone a major conversion". (MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 23 Attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (attained EEXI) 1 The attained EEXI shall be calculated for: .1 each ship; and .2 each ship which has undergone a major conversion.)

CII

CII applies to ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above (similar to the ships subject to Regulation 27 on mandatory annual fuel consumption reporting to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database).

(MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 28 Operational carbon intensity Attained annual operational carbon intensity indicator (attained annual operational CII) 1 After the end of calendar year 2023 and after the end of each following calendar year, each ship of 5,000 gross tonnage and above…. shall calculate the attained annual operational CII over a 12-month period from 1 January to 31 December for the preceding calendar year.)

How many countries are party to these regulations?

The CII and EEXI regulations are in the Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships (MARPOL). Annex VI was adopted through a Protocol adopted in 1997. Amendments since then have been adopted under the "tacit acceptance" process, meaning they come into force on a set date (unless a specified number of Parties object). Currently, as of 1 November 2022, MARPOL Annex VI has 105 Parties, representing between them 96.81% of world merchant shipping by tonnage.