IMO finalises CII guidance

The 12th session of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 12), meeting from 16 to 20 May, approved draft guidelines supporting the implementation of IMO’s carbon intensity reduction measures.

These measures were adopted as amendments to MARPOL Annex VI in June 2021 and include the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI); annual operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) rating and an enhanced Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP).

The guidelines are expected to be adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 78) during its 6 to 10 June meeting:

• 2022 Guidelines for the development of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP)
• Guidelines for the verification and company audits by the Administration of Part III of the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP)
• 2022 Guidelines for Administration verification of ship fuel oil consumption data and operational carbon intensity
• 2022 Guidelines for the development and management of the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database
• Guidance for the submission of data to the IMO data collection system from a State not Party to MARPOL Annex VI
• 2022 Guidelines on the method of calculation of the attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI)
• 2022 Guidelines on survey and certification of the attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI)
• Guidance on methods, procedures and verification of in-service performance measurements for EEXI calculation
• 2022 Interim Guidelines on Correction Factors and Voyage Adjustments for CII Calculations (CII Guidelines, G5)
• 2022 Guidelines on Operational Carbon Intensity Indicators and the Calculation Methods (CII Guidelines, G1)
• 2022 Guidelines on the Reference Lines for use with Operation Carbon Intensity Indicators (CII Reference Lines Guidelines, G2)
• 2022 Guidelines on the Operational Carbon Intensity Rating of Ships (CII Rating Guidelines, G4)

The Working Group also discussed draft amendments to the procedures for port State control (resolution A.1155(32)) and agreed to refer them to the Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III 8, 25 to 29 July) for further consideration. In particular, the III Sub-Committee is requested to consider what constitutes a detainable deficiency in relation to the CII rating and advise MEPC 79 accordingly.

The group also discussed proposals for mid-term measures and agreed to integrate both technical elements (for example, a GHG fuel standard and/or enhancement of IMO’s carbon intensity measures) and carbon pricing elements (for example, through a market-based measure). Discussions are ongoing.