Energy efficiency design measure

The EEDI was adopted as a mandatory measure by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2011. The EEDI promotes the use of more energy efficient (less polluting) design features, equipment and engines on new ships and on ships undergoing a major conversion.

The EEDI allows ship designers and builders to choose the technologies needed to ensure ships meet set energy efficiency levels, which increase incrementally every five years. The incremental adjustment of the EEDI encourages continued innovation and technical development to improve the efficiency of ships from the design phase.

EEDI requirements apply to newly built shipsⁱ of the following ship types engaged in international voyages:

These ship types are responsible for approximately 85% of the carbon dioxide (CO²) emissions from international shipping.

The EEDI requirements do not apply to cargo ships with ice-breaking capability or ships which have non-conventional propulsion (including diesel-electric propulsion, turbine propulsion, and hybrid propulsion system) with the exception of cruise ships and LNG carriers with non-conventional propulsion, delivered on or after 1 September 2019.  

The EEDI measurement explained

The EEDI formula is EEDI = CO² emission/transport work. The carbon-dioxide (CO²) emission stands for total CO² emissions from combustion of fuel. Transport work is the ship’s capacity as designed, multiplied by the ship’s design speed.

From 1 January 2015 a minimum energy efficiency level has applied for new ships. This is tightened incrementally, in three phases until 2025 when a 30% reduction for applicable ship types applies. This reduction applies to a baseline, which is the average efficiency of ships built between 1999 –2009.

IMO resources

The EEDI requirements are mandated through Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention. The IMO offers guidelines on EEDI requirements, including:

• 2018 Guidelines on the method of calculation of the attained Energy Efficiency Design Index for new ships (MEPC.308(73))
• 2014 Guidelines on Survey and Certification of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) (MECP.254(67) and its amendments MEPC.261(68) and MEPC.309(73)
• 2013 Guidelines for calculation of reference lines for use with the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) (MEPC.231(65))
• 2013 Guidelines for calculation of reference lines for use with the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for cruise passenger ships having non-conventional propulsion (MEPC.233(65))

Footnotes