MARINA urges PH ships to develop greenhouse gas-reduction measures

• MARINA urges PH-registered ships to develop GHG-reduction measures

• The Maritime Industry Authority advised all Philippine-registered ships engaged in overseas trade to develop energy-efficient systems and practices that will cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emission

• This is in compliance with amendments to the Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78 of the International Maritime Organization

• The new measures require all ships to calculate their Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and to establish their annual operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) and CII rating

• The EEXI and CII certification requirements take effect from January 1, 2023

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is urging Philippine-registered ships engaged in overseas trade to develop measures that will support reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission.

This comes after amendments to Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78) introducing the mandatory measures to reduce emissions of GHG from international shipping was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 76^th session in June 2021.

The new IMO measures require all ships to calculate their Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) following technical means to improve their energy efficiency, and establish their annual operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) and CII rating.  Carbon intensity links the GHG emissions to the transport work of ships.

The amendments to MARPOL Annex VI (adopted in a consolidated revised Annex VI) are expected to enter into force on November 1, 2022, with requirements for EEXI and CII certification coming into effect from January 1, 2023.

This means that the first annual reporting on carbon intensity will be completed in 2023, with the first rating given in 2024.

Through its Shipyards Regulation Service, MARINA is now conducting a study on the technical and economical aspect of the new IMO decarbonization initiative, the authority said in MARINA Advisory (MA) No. 2022-33 dated May 17.

The EEXI is a framework for determining the energy efficiency and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of vessels over 400 gross tonnage (GT). Adapted from the Energy Efficiency Design Index for newbuilds, the EEXI requires ship owners to assess and measure their ships’ CO2 emissions by design against specific emission reduction factors for each vessel type. Owners can then implement technical measures to adjust their vessels’ emissions to the required level.

The CII, meanwhile, requires ships over 5,000 GT to quantify and report on carbon emissions from ongoing operations. The CII provides ship operators with the factor by which they must reduce carbon emissions annually to comply with regulations and ensure continuous improvement. Vessels will be rated on a five-tiered scale (from A to E, with A being the best) for performance.

For ships that achieve a D rating for three consecutive years or an E rating in a single year, a corrective action plan needs to be developed as part of the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) and approved.

MA 2022-33 listed possible improvement measures that shipowners and operators can do to comply, including installation of energy-saving devices, use of alternative fuels, and an efficient voyage plan.

They can also refer to specific guidelines under MARPOL Annex VI, IMO Circulars, and MEPC Resolutions developed and adopted during the 76^th Session of the MEPC, MARINA said.

Aside from these new requirements, domestic ship owners should also comply with the IMO’s sulfur cap policy, also under the MARPOL Annex VI, by 2025.

The Philippines is a member-state of the IMO and has ratified MARPOL Annex VI in 2018.