In the last session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), a series of measures were agreed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by ships. Along these lines, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) established two emission reduction targets, the first one seeks to achieve a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030 and the second, a 70% reduction by 2050.
To meet these objectives, the IMO member states worked together on a combined short-term strategy to achieve the proposed goals. This strategy includes technical measures and operational measures for the effective reduction of emissions contributed by ships that use international maritime connectivity routes.
Regarding technical measures, the major novelties are related to the implementation of an energy efficiency index applicable to existing ships (EEXI) of gross tonnage greater than 400, bearing in mind that currently Annex VI of the MARPOL International Convention considers a Equivalent index (EEDI) applicable to ships that entered into operation after 2015, defined as “new ships” by that regulation. Another novelty present in the technical measures corresponds to the decrease in the navigation speed of ships through the installation of a power limitation system in the propulsion system of each ship, which allows operating under normal conditions up to 83%. of maximum power.
On the other hand, the Committee agreed to implement operational measures to classify ships according to a carbon intensity index (CII). This measure will be applicable to ships whose gross tonnage is greater than 5000 and will allow each ship to be rated according to GHG emissions, where it will be awarded a letter A for those ships that have a positive ranking and a letter E for those that have a ranking. negative, based on its index.
The implementation of all these measures will take effect in 2023 and will be carried out through the main regulatory framework in matters of prevention of pollution produced by ships, such as the International Convention MARPOL 73/78.
Among the challenges that will be discussed in the future, is the use of zero-emission fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen, fuels that due to their physical-chemical properties do not emit GHG, but that require a lot of innovation and technology for their implementation. since at present its production and use is still in an initial stage of research and development.
Another aspect that the next meetings will address is directly related to the possibility of creating an R&D research and development center for new technologies and marine innovations capable of delivering results applicable to ships and that are effective in ending GHG emissions. This new institution would be under the supervision of the IMO and would obtain its financing from the collection of a tax on the amount of fossil fuel consumed, an issue that still needs to be debated in future meetings. Likewise, there is a complex challenge for Naval Engineers who must design and build ships that are more efficient and can be propelled by means of renewable energies available in nature, which could reduce the use of petroleum-derived fuels by reducing emissions of GHG.
Finally, it is important to highlight the work and effort made by the International Maritime Organization and its member states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which undoubtedly contribute to reducing the effects of climate change.
However, much remains to be done and it is all of us who are part of the international maritime community, responsible for achieving the objective of improving the environmental conditions of our planet, for ourselves and for future generations.
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