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The Directorate General of
Shipping has initiated necessary
steps for survey and
inspection of Indian ships to
ensure compliance with the series
of mandatory measures adopted
by the International Maritime
Organization for increasing energy
efficiency and reducing emission
of greenhouse gases from
international shipping.
During the 63rd session of
IMO's Marine Environment
Protection Committee, held in
London from February 27 to
March 2, this year, four sets of
guidelines were adopted to
assist in the implementation of
the mandatory regulations on
energy efficiency for ships in
MARPOL Annex VI. The regulations
will enter into force on January
1, next year.
The International Convention
for the Prevention of Pollution
from Ships (MARPOL) covers
prevention of pollution of the
marine environment by ships
from operational or accidental
causes. India is a party to the
Convention.
The guidelines adopted by the
MEPC for implementation of
energy efficiency measures
include guidelines on the
method of calculation of the
attained Energy Efficiency
Design Index for new ships,
guidelines for the development
of a Ship Energy Efficiency
Management Plan, guidelines
on survey and certification of the
EEDI and guidelines for calculation
of reference lines for use
with the EEDI. The aim of the
guidelines is to support member
states in the uniform implementation
of the amendments to
MARPOL Annex VI Regulations
for the prevention of air pollution
from ships, adopted in July
2011. The amendments had
added a new chapter to Annex
VI on regulations concerning
energy efficiency for ships to
make the EEDI mandatory for
new ships and the SEEMP
applicable to all ships.
The EEDI is a non-prescriptive,
performance-based
mechanism that leaves the
choice of technologies to be
used in a specific ship design
to the industry. As long as the
required energy-efficiency
level is attained, ship designers
and builders would be free
to use the most cost-efficient
solutions for the ship to comply
with the regulations. The
SEEMP establishes a mechanism
for operators to improve
the energy efficiency of ships.
The MARPOL Annex VI Regulations
for the prevention of air
pollution from ships reduces the
sulphur limit in fuel oil for ships in
phases. Starting July 1, 2010, the
sulphur cap in emission control
areas had been reduced from 1.50
per cent to 1.00 per cent. This
would be further reduced to 0.10
per cent on January 1, 2015. The
global sulphur cap, as of January
1, 2012, had been reduced from
4.50 per cent to 3.50 per cent. This
would be further brought down to
0.50 per cent on January 1, 2020,
or 2025, depending upon a feasibility
review in 2018.
India had acceded to the MARPOL
Annex VI regulations for the
prevention of air pollution from
ships in November last year so as
to avail waiver of the requirements
of compliance with the
EEDI. Parties to the MARPOL
Annex VI have the option to waive
the EEDI requirement on their
ships for a maximum of 4 to 6.5
years after the entry into force.
The IMO's mandatory measures
for improving energy efficiency
and reducing greenhouse gas
emissions are likely to have a considerable
impact on the Indian
shipping industry. Already reeling
under pressure due to low
freight rates and high fuel prices,
shipping companies would now
have to face a further increase in
operating costs.
According to a report released by
Fitch Ratings in January, the 2012
outlook for the Indian shipping
industry is negative and Indian
shipping companies are likely to
report reduced cash flows from a
fall in revenues and profitability,
which will weaken their credit
metrics. It said that unfavorable
demand-supply dynamics in the
global shipping industry driven
by low global-trading levels
accompanied by fleet additions
across segments in the current
year would be a significant drag
on the revival of charter rates. It
also pointed out that in 2011,
operating costs of shipping companies
had increased considerably
due to escalating bunker fuel
costs, which account for roughly
40 per cent of operating costs, in
line with high crude oil prices.
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