The Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) Explained

The Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) regulation imposed by the IMO is pivotal in steering the maritime industry towards more sustainable practices. To help charters, shipowners and other stakeholders, we give a short overview of the current CII regulation and guide how to stay compliant.

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What is the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII)?

The Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) is a regulatory metric used to measure the carbon efficiency of ships. It is part of an integral global initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transport imposed by the IMO. The main goal is to reduce the carbon intensity of all ships by at least 40% by 2030 and aims to decrease by 70% in 2050 in comparison to 2008. The CII rates are based on their carbon emissions relative to the cargo carried and distance traveled, promoting a move towards more environmentally friendly operations in the shipping sector.

“CII is not just a measure; it’s a pathway to greener seas.”

Understanding CII Ratings

The CII rating system categorizes ships from A to E, where A represents the best performance and E the worst. This rating system helps stakeholders understand a ship’s environmental impact. The aim is to incentivize improvements in carbon efficiency with each passing year, pushing the industry towards more sustainable practices.

CII Calculation

Calculating CII and CII ratings can be complex. The CII unit is in grams of CO2 emitted per cargo-carrying capacity and nautical mile. Where the cargo capacity is either deadweight or gross tonnage depending on the type of ship. In addition, correction factors need to be applied. Proseadure offers an automated solution that takes these corrections into account, simplifying this intricate process.

How to comply with CII Regulations

Shipowners with direct control over the ship’s operations and bareboat charters need to report CII data together with ship identification information and supporting documentation to their registered flag state. This information includes IMO number, ship name, gross tonnage, annual fuel consumption, type of fuel, distance traveled over the year, transport work and of course their calculated CII as well as CII rating. Data needs to be verified by an official third-party verifier. The flag state forwards the data to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database (IMO DCS).

Why CII Matters

• For Sustainability: Implementing CII isn’t just about regulatory compliance. It’s a commitment to a sustainable future. By tracking and improving CII values and adhering to sustainability regulations, shipping companies contribute to reducing the maritime industry’s carbon footprint.
• For Operational Efficiency: A good CII rating and compliance can also lead to operational benefits. Resulting in fuel savings, improved ship performance, and a positive brand image, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Help us lower your CII rating with multi-voyage optimization. Learn more about this game-changing solution.

Proseadure: Your Partner in Maritime Sustainability

At Proseadure, we understand the complexities of maritime sustainability. Our software aids in tracking, calculating, and improving CII ratings and ensuring compliance, helping our clients navigate these waters with ease.

The Role of CII Reporting Software

80% of the global fleet is operating with vessels using manual reporting. Making data unstructured, causing inaccurate emission data. This is where CII reporting software by Proseadure comes into play. By using our vessel (noon) reporting software for your voyages, we offer automatic CII calculations and full compliance with CII. Easily monitor CII ratings per vessel for your whole fleet with preliminary year-to-date ratings to prevent financial consequences in the future.

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Interested in learning more or need assistance with CII compliance? Book a demo with our experts and see how Proseadure can benefit your business.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – CII Compliance

1. What is CII? The Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) is a regulatory metric used to measure the carbon efficiency of ships and is measured by CO2 emitted per cargo-carrying capacity and nautical mile.
2. Which ships apply to CII? The CII regulation applies to ships above 5000 gross tonnage of the following types: bulk carriers, gas carriers, tankers, container ships, general cargo ships, combination carriers, LNG carriers, vehicle carriers, refrigerated cargo carriers, Ro-Ro cargo vessels, Ro-Ro passenger vessels and cruise ships.
3. What is the difference between EEXI and CII? The Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) is the ship’s energy efficiency related to the technical design of a ship compared to a baseline, similarly to CII. However, the CII rating baseline will increase yearly, whereas EEXI is a one-time certification. Additionally, EEXI applies to ships above 400 gross tonnages.
4. How are SEEMP and CII related? The Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) is a mandatory management plan to optimize ship performance. Implemented in 2013 by IMO and enhanced in 2023 to become an integral part of CII. The plan needs to be always aboard the vessel and ships receiving a CII rating of D or below for three consecutive years need to develop a corrective action plan.
5. Who is responsible for CII compliance? The ship owners are responsible for CII compliance, however, Charterers will have major influence over the CII ratings of the ships they charter. Hence, it is recommended to continuously monitor CII performance of vessels. Proseadure can help with this.
6. What part of my voyages are subjected to CII? Currently, the CII does not attribute fuel consumption to specific stages of a voyage or operations. Consumption during anchoring, for example, would simply be considered as consumption without distance travelled.
7. Where can I find the CII formula with correction factors and voyage adjustments? Full CII formula with correction factors and voyage adjustments is available in IMO’s RESOLUTION MEPC.355(78) – 2022 INTERIM GUIDELINES ON CORRECTION FACTORS AND VOYAGE ADJUSTMENTS FOR CII CALCULATIONS (CII GUIDELINES, G5).
8. How can Proseadure help with CII calculations? Proseadure offers a complete solution for CII compliance. It allows you to accurately measure CII and report your fleet’s carbon footprint, ensuring transparency and accountability. The software supports various compliance standards, such as MVR, EU FUEL, and EU ETS as well making it easier for your company to meet reporting requirements efficiently.
9. What are the consequences of not meeting the required CII? Currently, there are no official consequences announced by IMO. However, if your vessel would get a D-rating for three consecutive years or an E-rating, you are obliged to submit a SEEMP part III corrective Actions Plan before DCS statement of compliance can be issued. Flag states might exclude vessels from operating with low CII ratings as well. This can change when the regulation is revised in 2025.
10. How can I get started with Proseadure? Getting started with Proseadure is easy. Simply contact us for more information or to schedule a demo. Our team of experts will guide you through the onboarding process and show you how Proseadure can benefit your fleet management efforts.

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