Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP)

With the growing concerned over green house gases and consumption of fossil fuels, the maritime industry governing body IMO has already taken positive steps by implementing Energy Efficiency Design Index which will monitor the amount of CO2 and other green house gas emissions from ships

The Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO - MEPC.1/Circ.683) is a tool for ship owners and operators to use to outline a program that continuously improves the energy efficiency of their vessels.
Mandatory measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping were adopted by Parties to MARPOL Annex VI represented in the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), when it met for its 62nd session from 11 to 15 July 2011 at IMO Headquarters in London, representing the first ever mandatory global greenhouse gas reduction regime for an international industry sector.

The amendments to MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships, add a new chapter 4 to Annex VI on Regulations on energy efficiency for ships to make mandatory the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), for new ships, and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships. Other amendments to Annex VI add new definitions and the requirements for survey and certification, including the format for the International Energy Efficiency Certificate.

The regulations apply to all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above and are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2013.

However, under regulation 19, the Administration may waive the requirement for new ships of 400 gross tonnage and above from complying with the EEDI requirements. This waiver may not be applied to ships above 400 gross tonnage for which the building contract is placed four years after the entry into force date of chapter 4; the keel of which is laid or which is at a similar stage of construction four years and six months after the entry into force; the delivery of which is after six years and six months after the entry into force; or in cases of the major conversion of a new or existing ship, four years after the entry into force date.

The EEDI is a non-prescriptive, performance-based mechanism that leaves the choice of technologies to use in a specific ship design to the industry. As long as the required energy-efficiency level is attained, ship designers and builders would be free to use the most cost-efficient solutions for the ship to comply with the regulations.

The SEEMP establishes a mechanism for operators to improve the energy efficiency of ships.
 

The Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) incorporates best practices for the fuel efficient operation of ships, such as better speed management throughout a ships voyage, for example. Such efficiency measures will significantly reduce fuel consumption and, consequently, CO2 emissions.   

The SEEMP was developed through detailed discussions between member states, and with the advice and assistance of the international shipping industry, through a specialised working group on greenhouse gas emissions convened by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). The working group also discussed measures such as an Energy Efficiency Design Index, which will help to ensure that new ships are built as energy efficient as possible.

Key Features of Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan

• Broader Corporate energy management policy

• Enhancement of ship efficiency

• Reduce in fuel consumption

• Decrease in GHG emission from ship

·         SEEMP is ship specific plan which can be efficiently implemented on vessels in 4 steps:

·         1. Planning

·         2. Implementation

·         3. Monitoring

·         4. Self evaluation and improvement

The other focused area of SEEMP is to reduce GHG emission while increasing operational efficiency of the ship resulting in less fuel consumption. Following steps are taken to achieve efficient operation of the ship under SEEMP:

• Speed optimization

• Weather routing

• Hull monitoring and maintenance

• Efficient cargo operation

• Electric power management

SEEMP is basically monitoring carried out by shore staff which collects the data from the ship through engine room log book, ORB, other ship records & documentation.

Although the shipping industry is already very energy efficient, additional improvements to hull, engine and propeller design are expected to produce further reductions in fuel consumption. There may also be possibilities for the better utilisation of waste heat.  

The increasing size of many ships is also expected to improve fuel efficiency.  In addition, operational measures (e.g. better speed management throughout the course of a voyage) are also expected to reduce fuel consumption and are addressed in detail by the new Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan that has been developed at IMO, with assistance from the industry.    

Shipping companies have a very strong incentive to reduce their fuel consumption and thus reduce their CO2 emissions: bunker costs represent an increasingly significant proportion of ships’ operational expenses, having increased by about 300% in the last 5 years.