{mprestriction ids="1,2"}Under the mandatory data recording system, ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above will be required to collect consumption data for each type of fuel they use, as well as other additional specified data, including proxies for transport work.

The aggregated data will need to be reported to the ship’s Flag State after the end of each calendar year, and the Flag State will issue a Statement of Compliance to the ship once it has been determined that the data has been reported in accordance with the requirements. Flag States will be required to subsequently transfer this data to the IMO Ship Fuel Consumption Database.

IMO will use this data to produce an annual report to the MEPC, summarising the data collected. Data will be anonymised so individual ship data will not be recognisable.

The draft mandatory data collection requirements will be put forward for adoption at the 70th MEPC session in October this year and could enter into force in 2018.

The data collection system is enshrined in draft amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which were approved by the 69th session of the MEPC.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said that the approval of the data collection amendments would make a significant contribution to international efforts towards mitigation of climate change.

“It has been very encouraging to see States which had previously found it difficult to reach binding agreement on climate change measures bring the spirit of the Paris Agreement to IMO this week,” Mr Lim said.

“The unanimous agreement to take forward a mandatory data collection system for ships’ fuel consumption is a significant step. It will provide a solid basis on which to consider, armed with information, whether further measures may be required in future to mitigate GHG emissions from shipping.”

“I would like to commend the Member States of IMO for once again showing their willingness to work collaboratively for the greater good. On World Earth Day, and the day the Paris Agreement is being signed by world leaders in New York, we are pleased to announce another of IMO's continuing efforts to protect the world’s oceans and climate.”{/mprestriction}