IMSML Website Article 07/2025: Resolution MEPC.375(80) - Amendments to the 2021 Guidelines on the Shaft/Engine Power Limitation System to Comply with the EEXI Requirements and Use of a Power Reserve

This is the 7th subject-matter in Annex 1 of Malaysian Shipping Notice (MSN) 14/2023. Resolution MEPC.375(80) was adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) during its 80th Session for a couple of reasons:

[1] Amends two provisions to the 2021 Guidelines, ie Paragraphs 3.2 and 3.4 respectively;

[2] Adding a new Appendix to the 2021 Guidelines on the shaft/engine power limitation system. This was to comply with the EEXI requirements and use of a power reserve.

Note, that EEXI is IMO’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index, which came into force last year, on 1 January 2023. This is a measure to track greenhouse emissions from ships and therefore helps keep ships on track to reduce such emissions.

The New Paragraph 3.2, see Annex 12, p2

Should usage of a power reserve be recorded in the record page of the ONM for SHaPoLi/EPL? Yes, see Section 1. It should be signed by the master, kept on board, and include the following:

[1] Ship type, see Paragraph 3.2.1;

[2] IMO number, see Paragraph 3.2.2;

[3] Ship size in DWT and/or GT, as applicable, see Paragraph 3.2.3;

[4] Ship’s limited shaft/engine power and ship’s maximum unlimited shaft/engine power, see Paragraph 3.2.4;

[5] Position of the ship and the timestamp when the power reserve was used, see Paragraph 3.2.4;

[6] Reasons for using the power reserve, see Paragraph 3.2.6;

[7] Beaufort number and wave height or ice condition in case of using the power reserve under adverse weather conditions, see Paragraph 3.2.7;

[8] Supporting evidence (eg expected weather condition) in case of using the power reserve for avoidance action, see Paragraph 3.2.8;

[9] Records from the SHaPoLi/EPL system for the electronically controlled engine during the use of the power reserve, see Paragraph 3.2.9;

[10] Position of the ship and timestamp when the power limit was reactivated or replaced, see Paragraph 3.2.10.

The New Paragraph 3.4

When a power reserve is used, should the ship notify IMO or the body responsible for issuing the relevant certificate / competent authority of the destination port? Yes, this should be done without delay, and the information recorded in accordance with Paragraph 3.2.

When should regulatory bodies report to the IMO Secretariat on usage of a power reserve? On an annual basis by 30 June every year. This encompasses a 12 month period from 1 January to 31 December for the preceding calendar year. The information should be in accordance with Paragraph 3.2, ie using the format stipulated in the Appendix to the Guidelines, see Section 2.

The New Appendix (see Annex 12, p 3)

This Appendix provides for the ‘Format for Reporting of EPL/SHAPOLI Override Activation, Use of a Power Reserve and Reactivation of EPL/SHAPOLI’.

Note, EPL is a reference Engine Power Limitation system. SHAPOLI refers to Shaft Power Limitation. Both systems function to reduce power usage on board a vessel when activated, and in theory should reduce a ship’s emissions.

The reporting commences with the following particulars which are seen in many IMO forms:

[1] Ship type;

[2] IMO number;

[3] DWT;

[4] GT;

[5] Maximum unlimited shaft/engine power (kW);

[6] Limited shaft/engine power (kW).

This is followed by ‘Table 1’ which documents the following:

[1] Date;

[2] Time (UTC);

[3] Position (ie longitude and latitude);

[4] Override Activation, or Reactivation;

[5] Reason for using the power reserve;

[6] Beaufort number;

[7] Wave height;

[8] Ice condition.

Note, for [6]-[8], usage of the power reserve should be filed under adverse weather condition.

Thank you for reading IMSML Website Article 07/2024

Stay tuned for the next IMSML Website Article 08/2025: Resolution MEPC.376(80) - Guidelines on Lifecycle GHG Intensity of Marine Fuels (LCA Guidelines)

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

Head of the Centre for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution

Faculty of Law

Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Selangor, Malaysia

Tuesday,  18 February 2025

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