See unitsPollution prevention on ships: oil record book, garbage plan, SOPEP, ballast water and emission control areas
Carbon intensity: EEXI, CII, SEEMP, DCS and the Net-Zero Framework
1The lesson in plain words
EEXI rates the ship's design, CII her year at sea. Ratings run A to E, and each year the required CII gets tighter. The Net-Zero Framework is not adopted.
EEXI
The Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) is a calculated design-efficiency index for existing ships of 400 GT or more of the covered cargo and passenger types. Since 2023, the attained EEXI must not exceed the required value. An engine power limit can help a ship comply. The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) sets design-efficiency requirements for new ships.
CII
The Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) divides annual CO₂ by capacity × distance travelled. Use deadweight (carrying capacity in tonnes) or GT (an enclosed-volume index), depending on ship type, not actual cargo. It covers specified ship types of 5,000 GT or more. Attained CII is your calculated result. Required CII comes from a ship-type and capacity reference line for 2019, reduced by that year’s factor; it is not your own measured 2019 result. Comparing them gives ratings from A (best) to E (worst).
Reduction factors
Relative to 2019: 5 % in 2023, 7 % in 2024, 9 % in 2025 and 11 % in 2026. MEPC 83 in 2025 set 13.625 % for 2027, 16.25 % for 2028, 18.875 % for 2029 and 21.5 % for 2030. Example: a reference value of 5.0 gives a required CII of 5.0 × 0.89 = 4.45 in 2026 and 5.0 × 0.86375 ≈ 4.32 in 2027. A further review is due by 2028.
Corrective plan
A ship rated D for three consecutive years, or E in one year, must have a corrective action plan in her SEEMP, the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan. Part III of the SEEMP holds the three-year CII plan and is verified by the flag or a recognised organisation (RO) acting for it. The corrective plan must explain how the ship will achieve C or better.
DCS
Under the IMO Data Collection System (DCS), ships of 5,000 GT or more on international voyages report fuel use, distance and hours to the flag annually, by 31 March. From 2026 data, the report also splits fuel by consumer, such as main engines and boilers, and time and distance into underway and not underway. Keep your noon reports accurate: they feed the CII.
Net-Zero Framework
The IMO Net-Zero Framework, a global fuel greenhouse-gas intensity standard with pricing, was approved as draft amendments at MEPC 83 in April 2025. On 17 October 2025 the extraordinary session MEPC/ES.2 adjourned adoption for one year. MEPC 84 in spring 2026 reached no agreement. As of 26 October 2026 it is not adopted and not in force; talks continue towards MEPC 85 and the resumed session planned for early December 2026.
2Key data
- EEXI
- Existing ships ≥400 GT (covered types), since 2023
- CII
- Ships ≥5,000 GT (covered types); ratings A to E
- Reduction vs 2019
- 2026: 11 %; 2027: 13.625 %; 2028: 16.25 %; 2030: 21.5 %
- Corrective plan
- D for 3 consecutive years, or E once: plan in SEEMP
- DCS
- ≥5,000 GT, international voyages; report by 31 March
- Net-Zero Framework
- Approved Apr 2025; adoption adjourned; not adopted (Oct 2026)
3Key points
- 1
EEXI rates design; CII rates the year's operation.
- 2
CII ratings A to E; the required CII tightens every year.
- 3
D three years running, or one E: corrective plan in the SEEMP.
- 4
DCS: ships of 5,000 GT or more on international voyages report yearly by 31 March.
- 5
The Net-Zero Framework is not adopted as of October 2026.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: A ship rated D once must stop trading until she improves.
Right: A corrective action plan is needed after three D ratings in a row or one E. There is no trading ban in the IMO rules.
Wrong: The IMO carbon price under the Net-Zero Framework applies from 2026.
Right: The framework has not been adopted. Adoption was adjourned in October 2025 and talks continue in late 2026.
5Practice case & exam keys
Your 60,000 GT bulk carrier was rated D in 2023 and 2024, and her 2025 result is also D. The office asks what follows. The 2026 CII is tracking slightly worse than 2025.
Show the answer
Three consecutive D ratings mean a corrective action plan must be added to SEEMP Part III and verified by the flag or RO. Set out the measures, implementation dates and how you will check progress. Show how the plan will achieve C or better against the tightening required CII. Track attained CII against that requirement monthly; an improved attained value alone does not guarantee a better rating.
Exam keys
- EEXI: design, ≥400 GT, since 2023; CII: operation, ≥5,000 GT, A–E.
- Reduction vs 2019: 11 % in 2026; 13.625 %, 16.25 %, 18.875 %, 21.5 % for 2027–2030.
- D three years running or one E: corrective plan in SEEMP Part III.
- Net-Zero Framework: approved April 2025, adoption adjourned October 2025, not adopted as of October 2026.
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