Page 17 - 2021 - Q3 - Minerva in Focus

The technical and operational
measures required to reduce
the GHG intensity of shipping
An overview by Mike Servos
Energy and Environmental Manager,
Minerva Marine Inc.
In 2018, the IMO adopted an Initial
Strategy on the reduction of GHG
emissions from shipping, which sets
out its key ambitions. These are:
• Cutting annual greenhouse gas emis-
sions from international shipping by
at least 50% by 2050, compared with
their level in 2008, and working towards
phasing out GHG emissions from ship-
ping entirely as soon as possible in this
century
• Reducing the carbon intensity of
international shipping as an average
across international shipping by at
least 40% by 2030, pursuing efforts to-
wards 70% by 2050, compared to 2008
In line with its Initial Strategy, which is due to be revised by 2023, the IMO’s Marine
Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC 76) adopted amendments to MARPOL
Annex VI at its last meeting in June 2021 concerning mandatory technical and oper-
ational measures to reduce the carbon intensity of international shipping that refer
mainly to the introduction of the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and
the implementation of the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), which includes a vessels’
rating scheme (A to E), and an enhanced SEEMP with mandatory content, approval
and subsequent audits.
EEXI
The EEXI imposes a requirement equivalent to the Energy Efficiency Design Index
(EEDI) Phase 2 or 3 (with some adjustments) to all existing ships regardless of the
year they were built, which will be a one-off certification. All Minerva’s vessels must
comply with the EEXI no later than the first annual IAPP survey on or after 1 January
2023. Within the context of compliance with the EEXI, the majority of Minerva’s ves-
sels, in line with the rest of the industry, will have to limit their maximum main engine
power by technical means. The latter is called Engine Power Limitation (EPL) and
will be overridable and require the involvement of engine makers and classification
societies.
Overriding an EPL will only be permitted for the purpose of securing the safety of the
ship. In that case, the ship will have to notify the Flag, Classification Society, and port
authorities at the port of destination without any delay.
The EPL will directly impact the vessels’ trading speed since an upper limit in the area
of 12.5-13 knots will be imposed on some of them.
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