DNV puts Recommended Practice on public hearing to drive transparency and accuracy on vessel technical performance

With this RP DNV aims to provide an accurate and transparent standard which will enable trust between stakeholders

DNV is set to launch a Recommended Practice (RP) offering a new, accurate and transparent method for measuring, evaluating, and verifying the technical performance of ships in service. This RP is a direct response to the growing regulatory and commercial pressures within the shipping industry to decarbonize operations and establish a standardized, verifiable procedure for evaluating vessel efficiency, the society said in a media release.

In the wake of the introduction of the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) vessels have been rated on their carbon emissions per unit of cargo-carrying capacity. However, the CII is impacted by external factors such as weather conditions, speed instructions, and loading condition, often overshadowing the true technical performance and efficiency of ships. In its RP DNV proposes a Vessel Technical Index (VTI) as a complementary measure, showcasing a ship's technical performance relative to its initial state, thereby eliminating the influence of external operational factors. In addition, the RP includes a novel approach to assessing the relevant sources of uncertainty, enabling the users to take informed decisions based on the VTI calculations.  

“Regulations and other stakeholders such as cargo owners and financial institutions will increasingly put pressure on shipping to decarbonize. Reducing emissions and substantiating these efforts will become essential in a commercial setting where improved technical performance is likely to become a precondition for shipowners to gain access to capital and cargo,” said Trond Hodne, Business Director Maritime, DNV.

The following use is envisioned for the VTI:

1) A standardized way of working with performance data and creating a baseline
2) Facilitating dynamic- and performance-based charter party agreements
3) Assessing the optimal timing for hull and propeller cleaning and quantifying its impact
4) Evaluating and quantifying the effect of energy efficiency measures

With this RP DNV aims to provide an accurate and transparent standard which in combination with independent 3rd party verification will enable trust between stakeholders looking to utilise technical ship performance as a basis for sustainability-linked business.

The DNV RP will be put on hearing to the maritime industry 31st of May and is expected to be finalized and published in Q3 2023.

DNV is the independent expert in risk management and quality assurance. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decisions can be made with confidence. As a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful organizations, we use our knowledge to advance safety and performance, set industry benchmarks, and inspire and invent solutions to tackle global transformations. DNV is the world’s leading classification society and a recognized advisor for the maritime industry. We enhance safety, quality, energy efficiency and environmental performance of the global shipping industry – across all vessel types and offshore structures. We invest heavily in research and development to find solutions, together with the industry, that address strategic, operational or regulatory challenges.