Norbulk picks Verifavia’s emission verification tech for 65 vessels

International emissions verification specials Verifavia has inked a contract to provide its full suite of emissions verification services to Norbulk Shipping, the UK-based ship management company.

The tie-up will see Verifavia supporting 65 Norbulk vessels in complying with regulations aimed at decarbonising the maritime industry including the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).

As a stimulus to reduce the carbon intensity of all ships by 40% by 2030 compared to 2008 baseline, ships will be required to calculate two ratings: their attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) to determine their energy efficiency, and their annual operational Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and associated CII rating. Carbon intensity links the GHG emissions to the amount of cargo carried over distance travelled.

The measures are part of the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) commitment under its 2018 Initial Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships to reduce carbon intensity from all ships by 40% by 2030 compared to 2008.

From 1 January 2023, CII will regulate the operations of all cargo and cruise ships that are 5,000 gt or above. Owners will need to calculate their vessel’s operational efficiency by comparing its fuel consumption with the total distance the ship has traveled.
 
To comply with CII, a ship’s actual annual operational carbon intensity rating must be documented and verified against the indicator’s requirements. This determines the operational CII rating on a scale from A to E, showing the performance level, which is then recorded in a vessel’s Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan SEEMP, according to Verifavia.
 
In November 2021, Verifavia launched the world’s first real-time CII Dashboard, allowing owners, operators and charterers of ships over 5,000 gt to accurately measure a vessel’s current and predictive CII rating.

Specifically, the CII dashboard provides guidance for ship efficiency, generating data on the amount of carbon produced and, through its calculator, insight into whether emission levels for a single voyage or reporting period meet industry regulations.
 
The dashboard’s simulator can predict when vessels, and specific voyages, will comply with CII regulation, helping shipowners to simulate and plan for upcoming journeys. It also highlights areas where the vessel falls short of compliance and is required to meet carbon efficiency regulations.
 
While supporting Norbulk vessels with CII, Verifavia will also assist the ship management company on other aspects of environmental regulatory compliance such as EU and UK Monitoring Reporting and Verification and IMO Data Collection System.  
 
“Very few, if any, ship owners, operators and management companies have the in-house expertise or time required to ensure all vessels within their fleet are CII compliant. By entrusting us to carry out this vital work, companies such as Norbulk can focus on their core business and daily operations,” said Julien Dufour, President of Verifavia SAS.

Artiom Guzar, QA and ISM Manager, Norbulk Shipping UK, explained: “We are fully committed to achieving our emissions reductions responsibilities, which requires understanding and bridging any gaps in meeting the requirements. With its CII dashboard and acting as a single point of contact for all our emissions verification needs, we believe that Verifavia will enable us to realise efficiencies and streamline the overall process.”