The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has submitted a proposal to the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 85) to modify the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) calculation methodology specifically for bunker vessels. IBIA contends that the existing formula renders it "virtually impossible" for these vessels to attain the mandated 'C' rating, which is a key component of the IMO's decarbonization strategy.
Bunker vessels primarily engage in short voyages and extensive in-port maneuvering to refuel other ships. IBIA highlights that this operational pattern, characterized by frequent stops and low-speed movements, inherently disadvantages them under the current CII calculation, which does not adequately account for these unique operational demands.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this development signals potential adjustments to regulatory compliance for support vessels within the maritime supply chain. While not directly impacting cargo-carrying vessels, a revised CII framework for bunker ships could lead to more realistic compliance expectations and potentially influence the cost structure of bunkering services in the long term, as operators might face fewer penalties or need to invest less in costly modifications purely for CII compliance. It also underscores the ongoing challenges in applying broad environmental regulations to diverse vessel types with distinct operational profiles.
The proposal will be discussed at the MEPC 85 meeting, where member states will consider IBIA's arguments and potentially deliberate on amendments to the CII framework for this specific vessel category.
