IMSML Web Article 15/2026: Resolution MEPC.401(83) - Amendments to the 2024 Guidelines for the Development of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) Originally Made Under Resolution MEPC.395(82)

Resolutions made at the 83rd Session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) were introduced to Malaysia via Malaysian Shipping Notice (MSN) 06/2025 on 9 October 2025 by the Director of Marine. Resolution MEPC.401(83) was necessary because Regulation 26 of MARPOL Annex VI mandated that each ship keep on board a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP). This plan had to be developed and reviewed in order to take into account the guidelines adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

The Guidelines, titled ‘Guidelines for the Development of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), were introduced earlier by Resolution MEPC.395(82). The amendments introduced by MEPC.401(83) are in accordance with the Amendments to Appendix IX of MARPOL Annex VI adopted by Resolution MEPC(81). It is on informations to be submitted to IMO’s Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database.

What Guidance is there in Annex 6, on Methodology for Collecting Data on Fuel Oil Consumption, Distance Travelled and Hours Underway and Other Items?

The new term ‘fired boilers’ replaces the previous term of ‘boilers’, see Paragraph 7.1 The chapeau of Paragraph 7.3 is also modified accordingly.

The term ‘boiler’ was a more generic description of a closed pressure vessel, used by ships to produced stem or hot water by heating it using a source of energy. By contrast, the term ‘fired boiler’  more specifically referred to a fuel driven burner which utilises oil or gas combustion, to heat water to created steam.

A new action is what is ‘underway and not underway’ is added by Paragraph 7.8, which contains the following:

[1] ‘Under Way’ is defined as the period between ‘full ahead on passage’ (FAOP) and ‘end of sea passage’ (EOSP);

Note, this follows the ‘Guidelines for Setting Up a Maritime Single Window’ (see FAL.5/Circ.42/Rev.3).

[2] FAOP is more commonly referred to in performance monitoring systems as the beginning of sea passage;

Note, this is also defined in IMO’s Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business (IMO Compendium), see IMO 0597 (Code EV10).

[3] ‘Not under way’ is the period between end of sea passage and full ahead on passage.

Note, ‘canal passage’ is therefore the period between beginning canal passage (EV)*) and end canal passage (EV09). This should be considered not underway due to the frequent manoeuvring, acceleration and deceleration, see also IMO Compendium under IMO 0597.

A new definition of ‘Distance travelled’ is  now found in Sub-Paragraph 7.7.2, which provides:

‘Distance travelled while the ship is underway should be included in aggregated data of distance travelled for the calendar year’.

There is also a new Paragraph 7.9 which provides for ‘hours under way’:

[1] This should be an aggregate duration whilst the ship is under way;

[2] Appendix IX of MARPOL Annex VI specifies that hours under way should be submitted to IMO.

What is in the Sample Form of the Ship’s Oil Consumption Data-Collection Plan in Appendix 2, ie PART II of SEEMP?

A new Section 4 now provides for ship engines and other fuel oil consumers as well as fuel oil types used. Among the details that have to be filled up include:

[1] Type / model of main engine;

[2] Type / model of auxiliary engine;

[3] Fired boiler;

[4] Inert gas generator;

[5] ‘Other’, to be specified.

There is also a new Section 6 titled ‘Method to Measure fuel oil consumption’. In the ‘Description’ box, there is supposed to be explanation of the procedure for measuring data and calculating annual values, measurement equipment involved etc. There is also a similar table to the one found in Section 4 above.

Thank you for reading IMSML Web Article 15/2026

Stay tuned for the next IMSML Web Article 16/2026: Resolution MEPC.402(83) - Guidelines for Test-Bed and Onboard Measurements of Methane (CH4) and/or Nitrous Oxide (N2o) Emissions from Marine Diesel Engines

Signing-off for today,

Dr Irwin Ooi Ui Joo, LL.B(Hons.)(Glamorgan); LL.M (Cardiff); Ph.D (Cardiff); CMILT

Professor of Maritime and Transport Law

Faculty of Law

Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Selangor, Malaysia

Tuesday,  14 April 2026

Note that I am the corresponding author for the IMSML Website Articles. My official email address is: uijoo310@uitm.edu.my