AMENDMENTS to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) entered into force on 1 November.

The International Maritime Organization said technical and operational amendments to MARPOL annex VI will require ships to improve energy efficiency in the short-term to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

From 1 January 2023, all ships will need to calculate their Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) to measure efficiency.

They will also need to initiate data collection to report their annual operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) and CII rating.

IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim said short-term GHG reduction measures adopted in 2021 form the amendments to MARPOL annex VI.

He said the amendments provide important building blocks for the IMO’s future mid-term GHG reduction measures.

“Decarbonising 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,” he said.

“The CII and EEXI measures represent the next stage in our work to meet the targets set in the Initial IMO GHG Strategy.” 

Mr Lim said IMO member states are engaged in revising the initial IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emission from ships. The goal is to adopt 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 decarbonised future for shipping.”

While the MARPOL amendments are now in force, EEXI and CII certification requirements come into effect on 1 January 2023.

IMO said the first annual reporting is scheduled to be completed in 2023, and initial CII ratings will be given in 2024.