International Chamber of Shipping opens data collection for IMO's carbon intensity ratings review

With IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) calling for submissions and proposals based on data collection efforts, shipowner trade group the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has taken the opportunity to collect data on fuel consumption and other metrics.

The goal, according to ICS, is to improve IMO’s CII rating system, which has been running since 1 January 2023. Under the CII regulation, shipowners of vessels 5,000 gt and heavier are required to collect and report data that measures a vessel’s annual operational carbon intensity. The data feeds into a rating system, the CII rating, that ranks vessels in alphabetical bands from A through E, with A being the highest rating for the vessels with the lowest carbon intensity in their operations. Vessels that fall into the bottom two categories, D and E, are required to take remedial efforts to lower their carbon intensity. Ships rated D for three consecutive years and ships rated E for one year will be required to submit their "corrective action plans" to regulators.

IMO’s CII regulations are classed as being in an "experience building phase", and the formal review period runs through 1 January 2026.

"Following IMO’s invitation during MEPC 80 in July, for interested Member States and international organisations to collect data and submit information and proposals, ICS has developed a system that enables shipowners and managers to submit data, including fuel consumption, transport work and the trial metrics. Such information will enable a clearer understanding of how fairly and effectively the CII system is functioning and provides the necessary input to IMO for system improvement," the ICS said. 

ICS technical director Chris Waddington said shipowners could “utilise the system to offer first-hand insights into what works well and possible challenges within the system. This data will be shared with IMO and keep dialogues open for how best to meet our 2030, 2040 and 2050 net-zero carbon emissions targets.”

The ICS said it invites shipowners and relevant stakeholders to utilise its ICS Data Collection System "to contribute to a fair and successful CII rating system in the future".