THETIS-MRV goes live

Photo: EMSA

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has launched an add-on to its THETIS information system making it now possible for shipping companies to report on their fleets' CO2 emissions.

EMSA was tasked to develop a robust system for the monitoring and reporting of verified data on CO2 emissions, annual fuel consumption, and other energy efficiency parameters by the European Commission's Directorate General for Climate Action. 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.

The THETIS-MRV system enables companies responsible for the operation of large ships using EU ports to report their CO2 emissions, as required by law from January 1st, 2018, under the EU's Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Regulation. The new rules will apply to ships above GT 5,000 which account for around 55% of all vessels calling at EU ports and represent approx. 90% of the total share of related emissions. According to the European Commission, by making the emissions data publicly available, as well as updating it on a yearly basis, ship-owners and operators will be encouraged to uptake greenhouse gas emission-reduction measures.