The THETIS-MRV system enables companies responsible for the operation of large ships using European Union ports to report their CO2 emissions, as required by law beginning Jan. 1, 2018, under the EU’s Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Regulation.
THETIS-MRV, a web-based application that enables companies responsible for the operation of large ships using European Union ports to report their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, went live Aug. 7, marking the first step in the EU’s efforts to include the maritime transport sector in its overall policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Reporting of those CO2 emissions will be required by law beginning Jan. 1, 2018, under the EU’s Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Regulation. According to the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), the system is expected to encourage the adoption of greenhouse gas emission-reduction measures within the maritime sector, in part because the emissions data will be made public.
EMSA was tasked by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Climate Action with developing a system for the monitoring and reporting of verified data on CO2 emissions, annual fuel consumption and other energy efficiency information. A four-year cooperation agreement between the two parties was signed in March 2016 mapping out the delivery of cost-efficient services based on the use of existing infrastructure and supporting arrangements, as well as proven concepts and expertise.
Extending the possibilities of the original THETIS inspection database, EMSA designed a purpose-built monitoring, reporting and verification system, the THETIS-MRV, which enables companies to work together with accredited verifiers to prepare monitoring plans in a voluntary module and to release emission reports and documents of compliance to the European Commission and relevant flag state authorities using the mandatory module, the agency said in a recent statement.
THETIS-MRV includes a mandatory and a voluntary module. Through the mandatory module, companies will generate Emission Reports which are then assessed by verifiers who issue a Document of Compliance in system. Through the voluntary module, companies may draft their monitoring plans, and the system makes them available for verifier assessment.
Using the information submitted, the European Commission plans to publish annual aggregated data per ship covering fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and average energy efficiency indicators, among others, EMSA said.
The rules apply only to ships above 5,000 GT. According to EMSA, these vessels account for around 55 percent of ships calling at EU ports, but represent around 90 percent of the total share of related emissions. The exclusion of ships below 5,000 GT from the rules is meant to both maximize the impact of the regulation and minimize the administrative burden on shipping companies and operators, according to the Maritime Safety Agency.
EMSA launches emissions reporting system for EU shipping industry
