AN INTRODUCTION TO ENERGY EFFICIENT SHIP

OPERATION
1.1
AN INTRODUCTION TO ENERGY EFFICIENT
SHIP OPERATION
GREENHOUSE GASES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN
THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • Introduction to the course

Introduction to the course

This course, An Introduction to Energy-Efficient Ship Operation, is intended as a general
course for everyone and as a basic introduction to the subject for seafarers.

It has two modules:

Module 1: Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry

Module 2: Practical Ways of Reducing Energy Use by Ships

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • Learning objectives

Learning objectives
In this first module you will learn about the controls on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from
ships, in particular how through improvements of the energy efficiency of ships we can reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the mitigation of climate change.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Explain what climate change is and the greenhouse effect

Describe shipping’s contribution to the global GHG emissions

Discuss the role of the International Maritime Organization in developing international

regulations for the shipping sector

Outline the energy efficiency measures the IMO has adopted to address emissions from ships
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The world is changing

The world is changing

Our world is getting warmer. Over the last 100 years the average temperature of the Earth's
surface has risen by about 0.8°C. The graphic shows the dramatic increase in global
temperatures over the past century.

Ocean acidity is increasing, ice sheets are shrinking and sea levels are now rising twice as
quickly as during the last century.

Scientists agree that if climate change is not stopped, in forty years' time large areas of the
earth's surface will look very different to the way they do now. The consequences of these
changes are unknown and unpredictable.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The world is changing

The world is changing

Our world is getting warmer. Over the last 100 years the average temperature of the Earth's
surface has risen by about 0.8°C. The graphic shows the dramatic increase in global
temperatures over the past century.

Ocean acidity is increasing, ice sheets are shrinking and sea levels are now rising twice as
quickly as during the last century.

Scientists agree that if climate change is not stopped, in forty years' time large areas of the
earth's surface will look very different to the way they do now. The consequences of these
changes are unknown and unpredictable.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • Climate change

Climate change
Scientists are also in agreement that many of the changes in our climate are due to human
activities.

The burning of carbon-based fuels like coal, oil and natural gas, together with agriculture and land
clearing – are increasing the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which in
turn is contributing to warming of the Earth.

This is the enhanced greenhouse effect, but let us first have a look into the natural greenhouse
effect which is a process that warms the Earth's surface and maintains it at around 33°C warmer
than it would otherwise be, allowing life on Earth to exist.

Graph reference: Mauna Loa Observatory

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect

The Earth environment as we know it exists because of the energy it receives from the Sun. The
absorbed sunlight drives photosynthesis, causes the majority of water to be present in a liquid
state and warms the Earth system.

An idealised model of the natural greenhouse effect

1. Solar radiation powers the climate system.

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect

When short wavelength, ultraviolet radiation from the Sun reaches the Earth, some of it is
reflected by the atmosphere back into space. Some of that radiation is absorbed by the
atmosphere during its passage to the Earth’s surface.

About half of that radiation reaching the Earth’s surface is absorbed, thereby keeping the Earth
warm. However, the Earth retransmits some of that energy back into the atmosphere but now
as long wavelength, infrared radiation.

An idealised model of the natural greenhouse effect

2. Some solar radiation is reflected by the Earth and the atmosphere.

3. About half of the solar radiation is absorbed by the Earth's surface and warms it.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect

But the increasing amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases humans are emitting
into the atmosphere is enhancing the greenhouse effect. These gases absorb some of the
infrared radiation energy leaving the Earth acting as a "glass roof on the atmosphere", letting
sunlight in, but absorbing more of the infrared radiation that gets reflected by the Earth into
the Atmosphere.

This means that more energy, in the form of heat, is trapped in the atmosphere, resulting in
rising global temperatures and other changes to our climate.

An idealised model of the natural greenhouse effect

4. Some infrared radiation is absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere.

 Interactive Exercise

True or False?

The Earth receives energy from the Sun as long wavelength infrared radiation.  True  False
All radiation from the Sun is absorbed by the Earth’s surface.  True  False
The increasing amount of carbon dioxide and other GHGs emitted into the atmosphere is enhancing
the greenhouse effect.  True  False
The rising global temperature is caused by more energy, in the form of heat, being trapped in the
atmosphere.  True  False
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • Climate change

Climate change
The enhanced greenhouse gas effect and rising temperatures are causing sea levels to rise.

Click on the icon to open the climate change exercise. Use the slider at the top right of
the screen to change the sea level and from that, the impact on the global population can be
envisaged.

You can find out more information on the phenomenon of climate change in the course:
Climate Change: From Learning to Action

Next, we will learn about the emissions from the transport sector, and in particular, shipping.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • Emissions from the transport sector

Emissions from the transport sector

Transportation is a key contributor to emissions, accounting for about 14% of global GHG
emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from this sector primarily involve petroleum-based fuels
burned for road, rail, air, and marine transportation.

As can be seen from the graph, which shows the amounts of carbon dioxide emitted per tonne of
cargo/mile by different modes of transport, shipping is a comparatively efficient method of
transporting goods. It generates less carbon dioxide per tonne of cargo/mile than any other
transport mode.

The vertical axis is logarithmic and not linear, so the actual differences are much larger than
they might seem at first glance.

Energy efficiency of different modes of transport

graph source (page 24)

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • Emissions from ships

Emissions from ships

However, although shipping is the most efficient mode of mass cargo transport, shipping does
produce GHG emissions.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • Emissions from ships

Emissions from ships

However, although shipping is the most efficient mode of mass cargo transport, shipping does
produce GHG emissions.

We will later have a detailed look into the work of the International Maritime Organization (IMO),
the international body that regulates shipping. The IMO has undertaken several studies to
understand the emissions generated by ships.

According to the Fourth IMO GHG study, international shipping, in 2018, was responsible for
approximately 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions. This may not sound a lot, but is comparable
to emissions from major GHG emitting countries, such as for example Germany.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The role of shipping in global trade

The role of shipping in global trade

Global trade has played a vital role in spreading wealth and raising the standard of living for
people around the world. Shipping is a very important part of that as about 80% of global trade is
transported by ship. Shipping is essential to economic growth. The world now depends on safe,
secure and efficient international shipping.

As global trade grows and demand for shipping services are expected to increase, it is likely that
the number of ships, currently around one hundred thousand, will also grow. Also, larger ships are
likely to come into service.

With that, emissions from ships are also projected to grow. Calculations undertaken by IMO show
that, depending on future economic and energy developments, maritime carbon dioxide emissions
from shipping are projected to increase by up to 50% until 2050, relative to 2018, unless further
action is taken.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The role of the IMO

The role of the IMO

The IMO is a United Nations specialised agency, similar to the World Health Organization (WHO)
and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The IMO currently has 174 Member States,
including almost all countries with a coastline. From its headquarters in London the IMO provides
the basis for the worldwide regulation of maritime affairs.

Shipping covers the globe. To be effective, any measures to reduce the emissions from shipping
need to be international. IMO's main role is therefore to create a regulatory framework for the
shipping industry that is effective, universally adopted and implemented through Member State’s
national legislation.

Initially the IMO was involved mainly in the safety of ships and seafarers, but now its efforts are
increasingly devoted to environmental protection and ensuring ships do not pollute our oceans or
the atmosphere.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • How the IMO develops international regulations

How the IMO develops international regulations

1st •
Firstly, developments in shipping and in other related industries are examined by the Member
States of the IMO. Member States then meet at IMO to discuss the need for new regulations

or potential amendments to existing ones. For environment-related topics, these discussions
mainly take place at IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee, or in short the MEPC.
2nd
•
Once a need has been identified, detailed research is carried out to determine the facts of the
issue. All relevant information is gathered and examined by the appropriate IMO specialised
technical Sub-Committee, and potential regulatory measures, consistent with the research,
are evaluated.

rd
3 •
After consultations and an informed debate, the proposed measures are developed into

Conventions. The Conventions are then approved by Diplomatic Conferences convened by
the IMO, where all the Member States are represented.
4th
•
These Conventions are large detailed technical documents. They have very specific
requirements. They are not hopeful "mission statements". The Conventions are then ratified
by the Member States and incorporated by them into their own national laws.

Summary •
This entire process was also followed by the IMO in developing measures to prevent pollution
from ships, and the results of this work are reflected in the MARPOL Convention.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The MARPOL Convention

The MARPOL Convention

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, usually known as MARPOL,
is, as its name suggests, the main convention dealing with the prevention of pollution by ships. It
covers the prevention of pollution by both, operational and accidental causes. It was first introduced
in 1973 and is continually being updated by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the
IMO.

The number of states which have ratified the MARPOL Convention represent over 99% of the world's
shipping tonnage. The MARPOL Convention has been universally implemented and has had a
profound effect on the way ships are operated and the procedures that are used on board.

The MARPOL Convention has six Annexes. Apart from Annexes I and II, the other Annexes, including
Annex VI relating to air pollution and energy efficiency from ships, need to be signed up to as
additions by Member States – hence a State may be a MARPOL signatory but that does not
automatically mean that it is a Party to MARPOL Annex VI.

Only signatory Parties can enforce the regulations, but even a ship flying the flag of a non-signatory
Party is nevertheless required to comply – including in terms of constructional requirements – when
within the waters of a signatory Party.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The MARPOL requirements

The MARPOL requirements

Annex I 

Annex II 

Annex III 

Annex IV 

Annex V 

Annex VI 
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The MARPOL requirements

The MARPOL requirements

Annex I


Annex I deals with the discharge of oil into the sea.

Annex II 

Annex III 

Annex IV 

Annex V 

Annex VI 
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The MARPOL requirements

The MARPOL requirements

Annex I 

Annex II


Annex II details discharge criteria for the minimization of pollution from noxious liquid substances carried in large quantities, like e.g. chemicals and liquid raw materials for the food and animal feed
industries which pose a major threat to the marine environment.

Annex III 

Annex IV 

Annex V 

Annex VI 
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The MARPOL requirements

The MARPOL requirements

Annex I 

Annex II 

Annex III


Annex III regulates the safe sea transport of harmful substances in package form and sets out requirements on how to package, label and stow these substances on-board to prevent their release into
the marine environment.

Annex IV 

Annex V 

Annex VI 
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The MARPOL requirements

The MARPOL requirements

Annex I 

Annex II 

Annex III 

Annex IV


Annex IV deals with the discharge of sewage from ships.

Annex V 

Annex VI 
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The MARPOL requirements

The MARPOL requirements

Annex I 

Annex II 

Annex III 

Annex IV 

Annex V


Annex V deals with garbage and either the prohibition of discharge to sea or the conditions under which, and the distance from land, certain discharges are allowed.

Annex VI 
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The MARPOL requirements

The MARPOL requirements

Annex I 

Annex II 

Annex III 

Annex IV 

Annex V 

Annex VI


Annex VI deals with air pollutions and also regulates the energy efficiency of ships. This last Annex is the one we will, in the rest of this course, consider in much more detail.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • MARPOL Annex VI – air pollution and energy efficiency

MARPOL Annex VI – air pollution and energy efficiency

Annex VI covers two main areas.

Firstly, the Annex regulates air pollution from ships and includes regulations that control ozone-
depleting substances (ODS), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and
particulate matter. These pollutants are of concern because they can cause many local problems,
especially on air quality, which has a direct impact on population and respiratory health.

But the Annex also includes measures that address GHG emissions which we learnt contribute to
climate change. The Annex controls these types of emissions by regulating the energy efficiency of
the ship. Improving the energy efficiency of a ship will reduce its fuel consumption, which in turn
will lower GHG emissions since each tonne of fuel used results in the discharge of three tonnes of
carbon dioxide. Energy efficiency goes hand-in-hand with decreasing the emissions of GHGs.

We are going to look at the measures to reduce GHG emissions.

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The energy-efficiency measures under MARPOL

The energy-efficiency measures under MARPOL

Under Annex VI there are both, technical and operational measures, to improve energy efficiency.
These energy efficiency measures apply to ships of 400 gross tonnage and above.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The energy-efficiency measures under MARPOL

The energy-efficiency measures under MARPOL

Under Annex VI there are both, technical and operational measures, to improve energy efficiency.
These energy efficiency measures apply to ships of 400 gross tonnage and above.

For new ships, the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) has been developed as a technical
measure. The objective of the EEDI is to ensure that ships are designed and constructed to be
increasingly more and more energy efficient.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The energy-efficiency measures under MARPOL

The energy-efficiency measures under MARPOL

Under Annex VI there are both, technical and operational measures, to improve energy efficiency.
These energy efficiency measures apply to ships of 400 gross tonnage and above.

For new ships, the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) has been developed as a technical
measure. The objective of the EEDI is to ensure that ships are designed and constructed to be
increasingly more and more energy efficient.

The principal operational measure is the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan, or in short the
SEEMP. Every ship of 400 gross tonnage and above is required to have a SEEMP. It is an on-board
management tool and has two parts:

The first part sets out the requirements for energy efficiency management.

The second part is a requirement for monitoring and reporting the ship's annual fuel
consumption.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The energy-efficiency measures under MARPOL

The energy-efficiency measures under MARPOL

The EEDI and the SEEMP work together, complementing each other to improve the energy
efficiency of ships.

We're going to look at these two measures in more detail, starting with the EEDI.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • EEDI – the objective

EEDI – the objective

The EEDI regulations are intended to encourage new ship designs, more efficient engines
and the development and installation of innovative energy efficient technologies.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • EEDI – the objective

EEDI – the objective

The EEDI regulations are intended to encourage new ship designs, more efficient engines
and the development and installation of innovative energy efficient technologies.

Since 2013, depending on ship type and tonnage, newly constructed ships and major
conversions, must comply with IMO's energy efficiency regulations. These regulations
require a ship to be built to meet a minimum energy efficiency level which is expressed in
terms of its EEDI.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • EEDI – the objective

EEDI – the objective

The EEDI regulations are intended to encourage new ship designs, more efficient engines and
the development and installation of innovative energy efficient technologies.

Since 2013, depending on ship type and tonnage, newly constructed ships and major
conversions of 400 gross tonnage and above, must comply with IMO's energy efficiency
regulations. These regulations require a ship to be built to meet a minimum energy efficiency
level which is expressed in terms of its EEDI.

The EEDI expresses the carbon dioxide emitted per tonne/mile of goods transported by the ship.
So the smaller the EEDI, the more energy efficient the ship design.

“ So what EEDI is a newly constructed, or major conversion, ship required to meet?

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The required EEDI

The required EEDI

IMO requires that the attained EEDI of new ships does not exceed a given threshold, the so-called
required EEDI.

The exact value of the required EEDI depends on the ship type, as well as the size of the ship. IMO
has calculated the required EEDI values based on reference lines developed using averaged energy
efficiency data from ships built between 2000 and 2010.

The graph shows the reference line for bulk carriers greater than 400GT. It plots the EEDI against
the deadweight tonnage of the ship. So, it can be seen that the required EEDI for a bulk carrier of
100,000 DWT has a numerical value just below 5. The reference lines are produced through
regression analysis of a large number of data of the specific ship type.

Each blue spot on the graph represents the data from a ship.

The regulations in MARPOL stipulate that the attained EEDI must not be greater than the
required EEDI.

Attained EEDI ≤ Required EEDI

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The attained EEDI

The attained EEDI

Once the construction or conversion of the ship is completed, the actual EEDI value, which we call
the attained EEDI of the ship, is calculated in simple terms by the equation shown.

Where;
P is 75% of the rated shaft power,
SFC is the specific fuel consumption,
CF is a conversion factor giving the amount of CO2 produced from the particular type of fuel used,
DWT represents the deadweight tonnage of the ship, and
VREF is the vessel speed at design load.

The result is a numerical figure in grams of carbon dioxide per tonne-mile of cargo. The idea is that the
EEDI represents the ratio of a ship's cost to society in the form of its carbon dioxide emissions,
divided by its benefit to the society represented by the transport work done.

It is therefore expressed as the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the ship while doing
one tonne-mile of transport work.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The full equation - attained EEDI

The full equation - attained EEDI

For actually calculating the attained EEDI, the simple equation seen in the previous screen is
translated into a more comprehensive version. Using this equation is a specialist task and is
not the responsibility of the seagoing personnel.

It deals with the energy used by the main engine and the energy used by the auxiliary engines. It
does not take into account the energy used by the boilers or other on-board combustion devices. This
equation has factors to account for alternative fuels and innovative technologies.

Calculations of the attained EEDI involve the measurement of all the parameters represented by the
symbols in the equation.

“ We have learned how to obtain the actual EEDI value of a newly constructed ship, which we call the
attained EEDI and is unique to each ship. But how is the IMO mandating improvements in the energy efficiency
of new ships?
 EEDI – quick recap

EEDI – quick recap

EEDI is an measure to improve energy efficiency.

EEDI expresses the emitted per tonne/mile of goods transported by the ship. So the

the EEDI, the more energy efficient the ship design.

The attained EEDI must be the required EEDI.

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • Verification

Verification
EEDI verification is carried out by the ship's flag Administration. To ensure that ships are compliant
and regulatory measures effective, there is a verification process. For new ships this starts with the
checking of the required EEDI during construction.

Pre-verification is done at the ship's design stage. This will be done using data, documents and
observing the ship's model tank tests. Final verification is carried out after construction as part of
the ship's commissioning sea trials.

Normally a specialist verification expert will sail with the ship. All relevant aspects of EEDI
calculation will be revisited and verified at that stage. Relevant ship design data, tank test data and
speed trial data will all be subject to scrutiny and verification by the ship's flag Administration.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • Verification

Verification
If the results following the EEDI verification process are all in order, and the flag Administration can
confirm there is a SEEMP on board, then the ship is issued with an International Energy Efficiency
Certificate, an IEEC. This is valid for the lifetime of the ship unless there is a major conversion, as defined
by the Annex, which affects its energy efficiency.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • Tightening of the required EEDI over time

Tightening of the required EEDI over time

As part of the regulations, every five years the required EEDI level will be further strengthened,
lowering the permitted carbon dioxide emissions per tonne mile. As can be seen from the graph,
reduction rates have been established until the period 2025 and onwards when most ship types will
have to be 30% more efficient compared to the baseline.

Ship designers and builders are free to choose the most cost efficient solution for the ship, as long as
the required energy efficiency level is attained. This will require ships to become technologically more
advanced and will promote innovation at the design stage of ships.

Let us now look into the second part of the energy efficiency framework and how Annex VI aims to
improve the energy efficiency of existing ships in operation.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The SEEMP

The SEEMP
The Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan, or SEEMP, is intended to be a practical tool to help
shipowners manage the environmental performance of each ship through improvements to operational
efficiency, thereby lowering fuel and hence reducing GHG emissions.

According to the regulations all ships – new and existing ones – of 400 gross tonnage and above, are
required to keep a ship-specific SEEMP on board. A SEEMP provides a structured approach for
monitoring and improving ship, and hence fleet, efficiency performance over time.

Let's have a more detailed look into the SEEMP which contains two parts.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The SEEMP – Part I

The SEEMP – Part I

The purpose of part I of the SEEMP is to provide a mechanism to improve the energy efficiency of each
ship in operation and that of the company’s fleet in total. The SEEMP is not intended to represent
compliance for compliance's sake, but rather it is a measure to encourage the implementation of ship
specific energy efficiency measures that result in reduced fuel consumption on board.

Let us have a look how a SEEMP part I should be developed.

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The SEEMP guidelines

The SEEMP guidelines

There are a variety of options to improve efficiency – speed optimization, weather routing and hull
maintenance, for example. The best package of measures for a ship to improve its efficiency in
operation differs to a great extent depending upon ship type, cargoes, routes and other factors. There
is "no one size fits all" solution so it is important that the SEEMP be ship specific.

IMO has adopted guidelines to help ship owners develop a SEEMP for each individual ship in their fleet.
The guidelines contain many practical measures that can help improving the energy efficiency of a ship.
In the second module of this course you will learn about many of them.

The IMO guidelines provide a practical approach on how to develop a SEEMP. In particular, they describe
the four-stage process that is the basis for developing and implementing a SEEMP, and thereby
progressively improving the energy efficiency of the ship.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The SEEMP – Four step approach

The SEEMP – Four step approach

The SEEMP works through four steps: Planning; Implementation; Monitoring; and Self-evaluation and
Improvement. This is also sometimes known as the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. It is intended to
produce a continuous cycle that provides constant improvement.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The SEEMP – Planning

The SEEMP – Planning

The first stage of the planning step is to get a better understanding of the ships current energy use. It
should identify energy saving measures that have already been implemented on board, and determine
how effective these measures are in terms of improving energy efficiency. The analysis should look into
all areas where fuel is consumed on the ship: the main engine that propels the ship, the auxiliary
engines that are used to generate electricity and the boilers for making steam.

Then attention needs to be given to areas where additional improvements can be made and should
identify concrete measures that can be adopted to further improve the energy efficiency of the ship.

Although not mandatory, ideally at this planning stage, numerical goals should be set to benchmark
improvements. The goal can take any form, for example, it could be expressed as the annual fuel
consumption or be a specific energy efficiency target, which could be measured using the Energy
Efficiency Operational Indicator (EEOI).

Whatever the goal is, it should be measurable and easy to understand.

 The EEOI
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The SEEMP – Planning

The SEEMP – Planning

The first stage of the planning step is to get a better understanding of the ships current energy use. It
should identify energy saving measures that have already been implemented on board, and determine
how effective these measures are in terms of improving energy efficiency. The analysis should look into
all areas where fuel is consumed on the ship: the main engine that propels the ship, the auxiliary
engines that are used to generate electricity and the boilers for making steam.

Then attention needs to be given to areas where additional improvements can be made and should
identify concrete measures that can be adopted to further improve the energy efficiency of the ship.
The first stage of the planning step is to get a better understanding of the ships current energy use. It should identify
Although not mandatory, ideally at this planning stage, numerical goals should be set to benchmark
energy saving measures that have already been implemented on board, and determine how effective these measures
improvements. The goal can take any form, for example, it could be expressed as the annual fuel
are in terms of improving energy efficiency. The analysis should look into all areas where fuel is consumed on the
consumption or be a specific energy efficiency target, which could be measured using the Energy
ship: the main engine that propels the ship, the auxiliary engines
Efficiency that areIndicator
Operational used to (EEOI).
generate electricity and the boilers
for making steam.
Whatever the goal is, it should be measurable and easy to understand.
Then attention needs to be given to areas where additional improvements can be made and should identify concrete
measures that can be adopted to further improve the energy efficiency of the ship.

Although not mandatory, ideally at this planning stage, numerical goals should be set to benchmark improvements.
The goal can take any form, for example, it could be expressed as the annual fuel consumption or be a specific
The Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator (EEOI) is a voluntary measure. It provides a formula to enable ship
owners and those on board to calculate the energy efficiency of their ships in operation. It can be calculated for
different voyages to offer comparisons of the quantity of carbon dioxide generated.

The formula includes the cargo weight, the distance sailed, the amount of all fuel consumed and a conversion
factor and results in the amount of carbon dioxide generated on each voyage. It is quite easy to use. It requires
real life data and has proved to be very useful.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The SEEMP – Implementation

The SEEMP – Implementation

The next step is implementation. This is when the measures identified at the planning stage are actually
put into practice – it's the "Do" stage.

The SEEMP should establish the time frame of doing this, identify the personnel responsible for the
implementation of each measure, and also set out how relevant data records are going to be kept.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The SEEMP – Monitoring

The SEEMP – Monitoring

The next step in the SEEMP cycle is monitoring.

Consistent and regular data collection is the foundation of monitoring. The data required here is the
amount of fuel that has been consumed by the specific machinery items listed in the SEEMP. Personnel will
be assigned the responsibility for specific areas of the SEEMP. Most of the data required by the SEEMP will
already be routinely collected.

The amount of extra work should not be large. The shore staff must do what they can to assist the
seagoing staff and reduce the burden on them.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The SEEMP – Self-evaluation and improvement

The SEEMP – Self-evaluation and improvement

The final step of the cycle is self-evaluation and improvement.

The energy consumed is compared to previous consumption data and to the goals that were set at the
planning stage. The self-evaluation phase should in detail review how successful all energy efficiency
measures were implemented and should provide meaningful feedback for improvement. Then the cycle
can be repeated.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The SEEMP document

The SEEMP document

The SEEMP part I will initially be developed principally by the shore office in consultation with the ship’s
deck and engineering officers on certain detailed points. It is to be kept on board, in either hard copy or
electronic form, and in a language understood by the ship's personnel.

The ship’s personnel thereafter have the responsibility to put the SEEMP part I into practice on their ship
and this is what makes it a ship specific document which needs to be continually updated as, for example,
the previously outlined four-step approach is worked through and repeated.

Seafarers should ensure that the energy efficiency targets are actively pursued and that they report back
to the shore office what has been achieved.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The SEEMP - Part II

The SEEMP - Part II

Starting for the year 2019, all ships of 5000 gross tonnage and above, have to monitor and report their
annual fuel oil consumption data. Part II of the SEEMP relates to this mandatory obligation and provides
detailed information on this monitoring and reporting scheme.

According to IMO regulations, the consumption data of all fuel oil used by the ship over the year is
to be reported regardless of the type of combusion machinery in which it was used.

Every type of fuel must be reported and irrespective of, whether the ship was underway or not.

The other information that must be recorded and reported to IMO includes the distance travelled by the
ship and the hours spent underway. The methods that may be used to determine the fuel quantities
consumed are set out in the SEEMP guidelines.

After each calendar year, all data collected must be reported to the ship’s flag Administration for
verification. Once the data is checked, the flag Administration needs to transfer the data to the IMO where
it stored in a centralised database.

On the basis of that data the IMO Secretariat will provide annual reports to the Marine
Environmental Protection Committee summarising the data collected in order that the Committee’s
actions to control GHG emissions can be better informed. That data will, under certain conditions, also
be available for further analysis.
 SEEMP – quick recap

these items in order

Act (self-evaluation and improvement)

Plan
Check (monitoring)
Do (implementation)
 SEEMP – quick recap

What does Part II of the SEEMP relate to?

 Monitoring of sulphur content in the fuel

 Monitoring and reporting of fuel oil consumption data

 Monitoring of the ship’s NOₓ emissions

Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • The EEDI and the SEEMP work together

The EEDI and the SEEMP work together

Before we come to the end of this module it's important to understand how the EEDI and the
SEEMP are working together and complementing each other.

Without any energy efficiency regulations, carbon dioxide emissions from shipping are projected to
increase dramatically. The graph shows the probable 'Business as Usual' increase if nothing is done.

The red shaded area between the two lines shows how the effect of the EEDI, the technical measure,
grows over time as the shipping fleet is renewed and older ships are replaced by new ships. The
operational measure, the SEEMP, has an immediate impact already today (grey shaded area), since it
applies to existing ships, but in the long term it is the EEDI that will lead to the greatest reduction of
carbon dioxide emissions.

Fully and effectively implemented, both measures together will lower carbon dioxide emissions from
shipping by an estimated one gigatonne per year by 2050.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • IMO is committed to phasing out emissions from ships

IMO is committed to phasing out emissions from ships

Recognizing that international shipping needs to continue becoming greener, and to support the aim of
the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement that identifies a clear goal of holding the increase in the global
average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the
temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, IMO continues to look into how it can further
reduce shipping's carbon footprint.

In 2018, IMO adopted an Initial GHG reduction strategy that commits to phasing out carbon dioxide
emissions from international shipping as soon as possible in this century. The strategy includes a
target of reducing the total annual GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • Conclusion

Conclusion
The world is changing and so is shipping. The safety of the seafarers and the ship is always the first
priority. But over the past decades, making shipping more and more sustainable, has also become of
paramount importance.

Recognizing the global threat climate change poses to our planet, IMO is committed to
contributing to emission reductions and has set own goals to phase out GHG emissions from
international shipping during this century.

IMO has also adopted mandatory energy efficiency measures for ships under MARPOL that are in force
and that are contributing to ships being built and operated more efficiently.

Never forget that increasing energy efficiency will reduce fuel consumption. It will reduce fuel costs
and lower GHG emissions. It's a win-win process, good for our planet and the shipping industry.
Greenhouse Gases and Energy Efficiency in the Shipping Industry • Summary of learning points

Summary of learning points

In this module you have learned about:
• climate change and the global threat it represents
• the greenhouse effect and how it affects our climate
• GHG emissions from shipping
• the role of the IMO in reducing GHGs from shipping by mandating improvement in the technical and
operational energy efficiency, through the EEDI and the SEEMP

• the commitment of the IMO to phase out GHG emissions from international shipping
In the next module you will learn about the many potential energy saving areas on board a ship.