New energy efficiency rules for ships into force

New regulations aimed at improving the energy efficiency of international shipping entered into force on January 1. The amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) were adopted in July 2011and make the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) mandatory for all ships. The new ruling applies to all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above. The Administration may however waive the requirements for new ships up to a maximum of four years. The EEDI is a nonprescriptive, performancebased mechanism.