FWC for Technical support for the development and analysis of IMO regulatory measures and other related EU and international regulations or standards.”.

Decarbonisation of international shipping is high on the agenda of the European Commission, with the Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy calling on the IMO to strive for high standards in the field of climate change. IMO adopted a number of measures to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping : the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), the Data Collection System (DCS), the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI). A GHG Fuel Standard and an economical measure (so called Mid-term measures) must be adopted in 2025 for international shipping to reach the goals set in the revised IMO GHG Strategy (2023).

A revision of the CII framework must be further considered at IMO after MEPC 83 and potentially of the EEXI and EEDI frameworks as well. Guidelines will need to be developed to implement the mid-term measures, as well as the SEEMP and the DCS. Additionally, the IMO has adopted and advanced guidelines on the life cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels (LCA Guidelines).

Efforts are ongoing to refine and finalize these guidelines, including certification frameworks and addressing technical and sustainability aspects. The LCA framework will support the implementation of Mid Term Measures and need to be further developed to effectively inform and support the regulatory framework. The Commission is expected to continue to play an important role in the development of IMO decarbonization measures in the coming years and this contract will provide technical support for the analysis and development of IMO regulatory measures.

The EC is also expected to play a key role in the development of an international framework to ensure the safe use of innovative technologies and alternative fuels as well, as for other international regulations or standards. This contract will provide technical support for analysis and development of such measures. In 2023 the EU adopted two key domestic measures for the decarbonisation of shipping.

These are the extension of the EU ETS to the maritime sector and the FuelEU Maritime Regulation. Both EU instruments contain review clauses in anticipation of new IMO measures to be adopted in the future and, also, clauses for comprehensive reviews in light the assessment of the functioning of these regulations during the first few years of implementation. The contract shall provide technical support for the analysis and development of the FuelEU Maritime, also in the context of adopted IMO measures.

The tasks shall include: a) provision of technical, analytical and scientific expertise, b) support in defining strategic directions and orientations, c) support for the development of comparative analysis, and technical analysis, recommendations, specifications, standards and submissions d) preparation of discussion papers and reports, e) support in ensuring input to other initiatives like the European Sustainable Shipping Forum, e) support in aligning with relevant international initiatives to ensure a global approach where necessary.