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MEPC -76 meeting held from June 10 to 17, 2021; this was the 76th session of the International Maritime Organization's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 76) which took place remotely with a limited agenda. MEPC 76 adopted technical and operational measures to reduce international shipping's carbon intensity, which will go into effect in 2023. The Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), enhanced Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) assessment scheme is among the metrics.

The meeting highlighted three essential things which are very much relevant for the owners and managers of ships. First, to reduce the carbon intensity of international shipping, IMO adopted technical and operational measures (EEXI, CII and SEEMP), including supporting guidelines; establishes ship rating system. Second, In Arctic waters, ships are prohibited from using or transporting heavy fuel oil for use as fuel. Third, adopted a ban on cybutryne in anti-fouling systems.

MEPC 76 adopted the following EEXI guidelines:

• Guidelines on the method of calculation of the attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI)
• Guidelines on survey and certification of the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI)
• Guidelines on the shaft/engine power limitation system comply with the EEXI requirements and use of a power reserve.

MEPC 76 adopted the following CII guidelines:

• Guidelines on operational carbon intensity indicators and the calculation methods (G1)
• Guidelines on the reference lines for use with operational carbon intensity indicators (G2)
• Guidelines on the operational carbon intensity reduction factors relative to reference lines (G3)
• Guidelines on the operational carbon intensity rating of ships (G4)

Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP)

• Due to time restrictions, the proposed SEEMP rules were referred to a Correspondence Group for further work and adoption at MEPC 78 in 2022 at the earliest.
• MEPC 76 agreed to clarify the regulatory wording by stating that the SEEMP verification and audit obligation would only apply to ships with a gross tonnage of more than 5,000 GT subjects to the CII requirements.

Amendments to the following IMO instruments were adopted by the MEPC 76:

MARPOL Annex VI – To take technical and operational measures to minimize the carbon intensity of international shipping. 

The Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) applicable from the first annual, intermediate, or renewal I APP survey after January 1, 2023. The operational Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating scheme takes effect on January 1, 2023, and the upgraded Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) requires an approved SEEMP to be carried on board from January 1, 2023.

MARPOL Annex I – Ban on the use and carriage to fuel heavy fuel oil by ships in Arctic waters. The amendments will enter into force on November 1, 2022.

MARPOL Annexes I and IV: Survey and certification standards are waived for unmanned, non-self-propelled UNSP barges. The amendments will take effect on November 1, 2022.

Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships Convention (AFS) – Controls on cybutryne and form of the International Anti-fouling System Certificate. The amendments will enter into force on January 1, 2023. 

Albion Marine Solutions advises customers to assess potential technical and operational changes to meet the forthcoming requirement and plan for the creation of an EEXI Technical File and a SEEMP. For more information, get in touch with Albion Marine Solution This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Albion Marine is working with the South Asian community to preserve the historical artifact Sea Lion Tugboat, the oldest Tugboat in British Columbia, built-in 1905. Sea Lion Tugboat is one-of-a-kind, with a long history, was hired to escort the Komagata Maru out of Burrard Inlet, sending 376 East Indian Migrants back to an uncertain future. It is a historical artifact for the South Asian community across Canada, specifically in British Columbia, demonstrating the valuable contributions of South Asian Canadians in British Columbia to Canada's economics, history, and culture.

Albion Marine Solutions would be looking for the best possible method to preserve the historical artifact and ensure that the visitors can experience it in the most rewarding manner. Albion expert marine engineers have already visited the site where Tugboat is currently berthed in Duncan, Victoria Island, and the restoration study is in full swing. 

ALBION MARINE 23 M HYBRID PATROL VESSEL

Albion Marine is proud to be a pioneer in developing new electric and hybrid propulsion systems. Albion has built a hybrid-classed patrol vessel that can operate on electric and diesel engines for the Coast Guard. The vessel was designed and assembled following SOLAS, IMO, and Canadian regulations. In all weather and sea state conditions, the hull is planned and configured to counteract the sloshing effects of the wave and strengthen the vessel's seakeeping and maneuverability.

ADVANTAGES

·         Capable of running with dual-energy sources between Electric and Diesel Engines.

·         Improved fuel efficiency and much lower noise levels.

·         Operated on batteries at low speeds.

·         Adequate for port inspections.

In case of an engine failure, you can switch to diesel-electric or batteries — while you also have improved fuel efficiency and much lower noise levels in diesel-electric and fully-electric modes than big diesel engines. The boat will operate on batteries at low speeds, which will be adequate for port inspections. When high speed is needed, the clean-burning diesel engines are started seamlessly while the batteries are charged. Batteries are increasingly being used in hybrid power systems; Hybrid power significantly reduces air pollution, thus lowering total OPEX by 30-60%.

The Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) is a technical efficiency regulation that sets new CO2 emissions limits for vessels per ton-mile of capacity. Although the exact date for implementation has not been determined yet, the current effective date is November 2022, with the IMO stating that January 1st, 2023 is the absolute latest date for implementation. Around 30,000 vessels will be affected as this short-term decarbonisation measure goes into effect. Affected vessels will be expected to complete a detailed attained EEXI calculation, with the value of that calculation equal to or below the ‘required EEXI' set by the IMO for that ship type and size.

Albion Marine Solutions has extensive technical knowledge of all ship classes, busy in assisting ship owners and technical managers around the world with EEXI calculations. We have completed a lot of vessel calculations in the last few months, and the number is growing steadily as the adoption date approaching closer. Moreover, we are also attempting to help operators understand their options if their vessels fail to comply with the new regulations. Sea trials will help determine possible routes to compliance when vessels fail to meet EEXI specifications based on an analysis from essential documents.

At Albion Marine Solutions, we work with clients to obtain a thorough understanding of the ship as well as any new technology that has been added over time. This allows us to ensure that a sea trial takes certain variables into account – all while adhering to strict supervisory guidelines – and can be used to produce a reference speed that accurately represents the ship's current speed.