SIMIC

New rules will be framed at the UN's International Maritime Organisation's Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC79) before the end of the year.

The CII has fueled controversy. Rules apply to ships of 5,000 gross tons and above. In the A,B,C,D,E rating protocol, vessels will fall into bands - with "A" being the best (less greenhouse gas emissions for the distance sailed) and "E" the least.

Intercargo, a bulk carrier trade association, has brought out its concerns in its document "Reductions of GHS [green house gas] Emissions from Ships."

This told of the effects of charterers' orders, distance travelled and waiting time on carbon intensity indicators. The document offers comments on guidance adapted at the previous MEPC meeting.

A ship on longer voyages with full utilisation puts out the most carbon. Yet, with the CII measure looking at carbon per nautical mile travelled, a vessel with this trading pattern will score better (meaning a lower CII) than the same vessel employed on shorter trips, or with greater port and waiting times.

The paper said: "Intercargo is supportive of the short-term measures adopted by the committee, but is of the opinion that to make the measure fit for purpose and to achieve the ambitions of the Organisation careful consideration of CII calculation including correction factors and/or voyage adjustments will be needed."

Intertanko said MEPC is "invited to consider the report referenced in the annex to this document, and to recognise the key importance of adopting CII correction factors for short voyages and port waiting time."