Japan: ClassNK to Certify NYK’s Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan

NYK’s Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) and the company’s implementation procedure have been certified by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) to be in compliance with the IMO Guidelines adopted by MEPC 63, making the company’s plan and implementation procedure the first in the world to receive this certification.

SEEMP was developed by a specialized working group on greenhouse gas emissions convened by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and will incorporate best practices for the fuel efficient operation of ships, such as better speed management throughout a ship’s voyage. Such efficiency measures will significantly reduce fuel consumption and, consequently, CO2 emissions. NYK’s certification recognizes that its SEEMP complies with the formulation of guidelines adopted at the 63rd session of MEPC (MEPC 63), which was held from February 27 to March 2, 2012.

SEEMPs will be mandatory for all ships from January 2013. Ahead of the international regulations, NYK formulated its own NYK Save-Bunker Manual by incorporating specific action plans aimed at efficient ship operation. By having each vessel make use of this manual since January 2009, NYK has been able to proactively enhance the efficiency of its ship operations. In addition, in the IBIS (innovative bunker and idle-time saving) project that NYK has implemented on its containerships to achieve optimal and economic ship operation, NYK has utilized a weather routing service and effective management of vessel speed, just-in-time arrivals, and optimal trim, all of which have been recommended in SEEMP formulation guidelines as means to improve efficiency.

Moreover, after setting a target of reducing CO2 emissions by a minimum of 10 percent by fiscal 2013 over fiscal 2006 levels, NYK implemented groupwide initiatives through its Save Bunker Campaign and resultantly saw a steady curtailment of emissions.

By developing environment-friendly vessels and optimizing ship operations, the NYK Group continues to take initiatives in environment protection.

[mappress]

Source: NYK, March 30, 2012