New regulation from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which will require existing ships to reduce carbon emissions, is due to enter into force in just under one year. As compliance will benefit to a large extent from co-operation between shipowners and charterers, BIMCO has developed a new clause to address the changes.
Amendments to The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI are due to enter into force on 1 November 2022, with the requirements for the EEXI certification coming into effect from 1 January 2023.
The new regulation will require existing ships to improve their efficiency roughly to be in line with the EEDI requirement for new ships today. For a large part of the global fleet, getting the EEXI certification for a ship may mean applying technical modifications, primarily through engine power limitation (EPL) or shaft power limitation (SHAPOLI).
The new EEXI Transition Clause can be used in both existing and future time charter parties. It addresses the relationship between shipowners and charterers in the context of compliance with the new regulation where technical modifications and logical amendments to charter party descriptions and warranties are required.
As the shipping industry is facing more regulation aimed at reducing shipping’s CO2 emissions going forward, the need for new contracts and clauses is increasing.