A fresh rule for new ships is underway as the global maritime watchdog, international Maritime Organisation (IMO) receives recommendation from a work group.

Stakeholders, especially ship owners and users, have not failed to use every avenue to express concern over energy consumption and efficiency.

These fears were heightened by the global meltdown, which compelled many countries to cut down on their expenditures amidst dwindling resources to meet their basic needs.

An IMO working group on energy efficiency has suggest that all new ships above 400 tonnes should have an energy efficiency design index (EEDI) .

Shiptalk reports stated that other ship types, including the various categories of roll on, roll off (RO-RO) ships would not be covered in the first tranche. 

The reports said ships that have diesel electric propulsion, turbine propulsion or hybrid propulsion systems are also to be excluded from the draft regulations until an appropriate reference line previously known as the ‘baseline’ for ships with these propulsion systems has been established.

The technical issues remaining are the lower size limits for the required EEDI levels and future emission reduction rates for the various ship types.

The decision on the instrument to be used to make the EEDI mandatory is expected to be subjected to heated debate due to the political sensitivities involved. Delegates attended the working group from 30 member states and 22 IGO and NGO to further develop the text for mandatory requirements of EEDI and ship energy efficiency management plan (SEMP). This working group may well be the final opportunity to address any concerns or misgivings that are held over any aspects of the IMO approach to green house gas reductions.

As at press time, the management of Nigeria’s apex maritime regulatory authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) could not be reached on the efforts it is making to ensure strict compliance with IMO conventions and guidelines.