Managing compliance
An increasingly wide range of online solutions is on offer to assist meeting regulatory requirements
Japanese classification society ClassNK has released new features for its GHG Emissions Management Tool, ClassNK ZETA (Zero Emission Transition Accelerator).
ClassNK ZETA is a tool for visualising GHG emissions and carbon intensity indicator (CII) ratings of ships and is used by more than 5,000 ships. Based on data submitted to ClassNK’s MRV (monitoring, reporting and verification) Portal, a system for fuel consumption reporting in compliance with regulations including IMO’s Data Collection System (DCS) and EU-MRV, ClassNK ZETA is designed to provide accurate status and simulation for reducing GHG emissions from ships and supports response to various emission reduction requirements.
A new feature displays GHG emissions for the entire fleet and individual ships, which are subject to the EU-ETS*1 and manages the emission allowances held by the company. It visualises the emissions under the EU-ETS, enabling consideration of necessary measures such as purchasing emission allowances.
The tool now also incorporates a feature that can be used to plan operations to achieve an agreed CII rating target based on a BIMCO’s CII charter party.
ClassNK says it plans to add functions in readiness for the FuelEU Maritime3 regulation, which will be introduced for EU-related voyages from 2025.
Meanwhile Greece-based Technomar Shipping is to use RINA’s SERTICA Vessel Reporting System (VRS) as a single system to cover all reporting requirements.
Theodore Baltatzis, General Manager of Technomar Shipping, said: “We wish to consolidate all our reporting needs into one efficient, flexible and future-proof system. As a starting point, we are already using the standard EU MRV and IMO DCS reports in SERTICA, but we are planning to soon create our own customised reports in the platform to simplify reporting even more.”
SERTICA VRS is designed to monitor all key data and metrics from vessels in real-time through one platform. Shipowners can identify potential issues and deviations early on and take corrective actions to improve operational performance. Traditional reporting systems have limitations in terms of flexibility and configuration options, as well as in automatic validation of data inputs. SERTICA VRS is described as providing the “freedom to add validations and sanity checks that improve data quality and eliminate errors while reducing the effort needed from the seafarers”.
In the run-up to the implementation of the EU ETS, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) developed what it describes as “a comprehensive range of carbon compliance and EU ETS management services designed to support owners and operators mastering the complex regulation requirements and to reduce their carbon footprint and related costs”.
BSM’s Chief Financial Officer Sebastian von Hardenberg says, “Our approach not only encompasses EU ETS management and compliance services but also seeks to optimise ship and fleet performance to reduce CO2 emissions and financial exposure.”
BSM’s services cover the monitoring, collection and reporting of required emission data, as well as verification for each voyage affected by EU ETS. The company has devised a highly automated, integrated end-to-end solution, enabling the creation of validated emission statements through the authorised third-party verifier DNV and calculation of equivalent allowances for regulatory compliance. This includes streamlining interactions with EU authorities and administration of maritime operator holding accounts.
In addition, BSM facilitates market access and acquisition of emission allowances through its extensive network. BSM has opened EU registry trading accounts in Germany and Cyprus, taken on a network of providers and implemented EU allowance trading mechanism.
Sebastian von Hardenberg notes, “We have partnered with selected banks working on emission allowance deposit and safekeeping solutions and with carbon certificate brokers offering trading services.”
Anil Jacob, Head of the Fleet Performance Centre, BSM’s central unit supporting performance optimisation and decarbonisation of the managed ships, says, “We enable our crews onboard, shipowners and charterers to make data driven decisions for most efficient vessel operations that reduces their environmental impact and thus costs and comply with or even go beyond the requirements of international regulations. This has always been the core task of our Fleet Performance Centre but is now becoming even more of a focus for owners and charterers.”
Through continued vessel performance monitoring, BSM tracks major fuel consumption contributors such as the hull, machinery, speed, route, and weather. This approach ensures voyage optimisation, regulatory compliance, and increased vessel energy efficiency. Inefficiencies are promptly identified, allowing for swift corrective actions.