The IMO’s recent Meeting of the Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC 82) ended without a clear decision on the Carbon Intensity Index (CII), although there is growing support for a flat fee per tonne of CO2 emitted.

Delegates said the current rules unfairly penalize waiting times in ports, a crucial factor to consider for shortsea and feeder segments. A significant rise in the cost of shortsea shipping, relative to trucking, could push cargo back onto trucks and consequently result in increased CO2 emissions.

Peter Sand, Xeneta’s chief analyst, previously pointed out that CII might lead carriers to change routes to longer trades or cut calls to ports where wait times are typically lengthier to boost their CII scores. Other delegates also cite the lack of consideration for adverse weather conditions.

There have been mixed opinions about the lack of decision on CII. Some viewed it as a failure to act, while the World Shipping Council (WSC), saw “clear progress” on negotiations. A working group will review the CII, and the results will be announced in March, a week before MEPC 83.

Source: The Loadstar