Guidelines for development and verification of a SEEMP

The IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) at its 76th session adopted, by resolution MEPC.328(76), the 2021 revised MARPOL Annex VI, which will enter into force on 1st of November 2022.

These guidelines apply to a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), more precisely, for the Development of a SEEMP and for the Verification and Company Audits by the Administration of the SEEMP.

MEPC notes in particular that the 2021 revised MARPOL Annex VI contains amendments concerning mandatory goal-based technical and operational measures to reduce the carbon intensity of international shipping, noting further that regulation 26 of MARPOL Annex VI requires each ship to keep on board a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), to be developed and reviewed, taking into account the guidelines adopted by the Organization, recognizing that the aforementioned amendments to MARPOL Annex VI require relevant guidelines for uniform and effective implementation of the regulations and to provide sufficient lead time for industry to prepare.

The development and verification of a SEEMP

Having considered, at its 78th session, the draft 2022 Guidelines for the development of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) and the draft Guidelines for the verification and company audits by the Administration of part III of the SEEMP, the Marine Environment Protection Committee:

1. Adopts both 2022 Guidelines, as set out in the annexes to the present resolutions;

2. Invites Administrations to take the annexed Guidelines into account when developing and enacting national laws which give force to and implement requirements set forth in regulation 26 of MARPOL Annex VI;

3. Requests the Parties to MARPOL Annex VI and other Member Governments to bring the annexed Guidelines to the attention of masters, seafarers, shipowners, ship operators and any other interested parties;

4. Agrees to keep the Guidelines under review in light of experience gained with their implementation, also taking into consideration that in accordance with regulations 25.3 and 28.11 of MARPOL Annex VI a review of the technical and operational measures to reduce the carbon intensity of international shipping shall be completed by 1 January 2026.

Also, the Committee, having adopted the 2022 Guidelines for the development of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), revokes the 2016 Guidelines adopted by resolution MEPC.282(70).