The IMO’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and carbon intensity indicator (CII) regulations enter into force on 1 November 2022.
Developed under the framework of the Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships agreed in 2018, these technical and operational amendments to MARPOL Annex VI require ships to improve their energy efficiency in the short term and thereby reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
“The IMO’s EEXI and CII regulations entered into force on 1 November 2022.” “/ / 
Source: Stena Bulk
The IMO’s EEXI and CII regulations entered into force on 1 November 2022.
From 1 January 2023 it will be mandatory for all ships to calculate their attained EEXI to measure their energy efficiency and to initiate the collection of data for the reporting of their annual operational CII and CII rating. The first annual reporting will be completed in 2023, with initial CII ratings given in 2024.
A ship’s attained EEXI indicates its energy efficiency compared to a baseline. Ships attained EEXI will then be compared to a required Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index based on an applicable reduction factor expressed as a percentage relative to the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) baseline. It must be calculated for ships of 400gt and above. The calculated attained EEXI value for each individual ship must be below the required EEXI, to ensure the ship meets a minimum energy efficiency standard.
The CII determines the annual reduction factor needed to ensure continuous improvement of a ship’s operational carbon intensity within a specific rating level. The actual annual operational CII achieved must be documented and verified against the required annual operational CII. This enables the operational carbon intensity rating to be determined.
Based on a ship’s CII, its carbon intensity will be rated A, B, C, D or E (where A is the best). The rating indicates a major superior, minor superior, moderate, minor inferior, or inferior performance level. The performance level will be recorded in a “Statement of Compliance” to be further elaborated in the ship’s Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP).
A ship rated D or E for three consecutive years, will have to submit a corrective action plan to show how the required index of C or above will be achieved. Administrations, port authorities and other stakeholders as appropriate, are encouraged to provide incentives to ships rated as A or B.
A ship can run on a low-carbon fuel clearly to get a higher rating than one running on fossil fuel, but there are many things a ship can do to improve its rating, for instance through measures, such as hull cleaning to reduce drag, speed and routeing optimization, installation of low energy light bulbs, and installation of /wind auxiliary power for accommodation services.
The introduction of EEXI and CII measures falls under the Strategy’s short-term measures which commit IMO to a target of reducing carbon intensity of international shipping by 40% by 2030, compared to 2008.
The IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) will review the effectiveness of the implementation of the CII and EEXI requirements by 1 January 2026 at the latest and develop and adopt further amendments as required.
Member States are working on the revision of the Initial Strategy. The Revised Strategy is set to be adopted in mid-2023 at MEPC 80 session in July 2023.
IMO Member States have already initiated discussions on various proposals for IMO’s next set of GHG reduction measures, such as a maximum carbon-content for marine fuels as well as on economic measures, such as a GHG levy, emissions trading scheme (ETS), feebate or an incentive scheme for zero emission vessels.
The work plan for looking at the development of these measures envisages:
Phase I: Collation and initial consideration of proposals for measures (spring 2021 to spring 2022) – completed;
Phase II: Assessment and selection of measure(s) to further develop (spring 2022 to spring 2023);
Phase III: Development of (a) measure(s) to be finalized within (an) agreed target date(s).
