IMO DOCUMENT UPDATES: AMENDMENTS TO THE ANNEX OF THE PROTOCOL OF 1997 TO AMEND THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS,1973, AS MODIFIED BY THE PROTOCOL OF 1978 RELATING THERETO

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted Resolution MEPC.278(70), introducing amendments to MARPOL Annex VI to establish a fuel oil consumption data collection system for ships. These amendments aim to enhance transparency and support global carbon reduction efforts in the shipping industry.

Key Amendments

Mandatory Data Collection

  • Ships of 5,000 gross tonnage (GT) and above must collect and report fuel oil consumption data annually.
  • Data must include distance travelled, hours underway, and technical characteristics of the vessel.

Verification and Compliance

  • Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) must outline data collection methodologies.
  • Administrations must verify and submit data to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database.

Confidentiality and Reporting

  • IMO will maintain an anonymized database to prevent ship identification.
  • Annual reports summarizing emissions trends will be submitted to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC).

Impact on the Maritime Industry

These amendments ensure data-driven emissions monitoring, supporting IMO’s decarbonization objectives.

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