IMO Adds Standardised Emissions Reporting Fields To Facilitate Greener Shipping

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has expanded its Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business following the 49th meeting of its Facilitation Committee (FAL 49), incorporating—for the first time—a set of standardised emissions reporting data fields. This development marks a major step forward in maritime digitalisation and environmental transparency.

What’s New?

The latest update introduces a new “Fuel oil consumption and CII reporting dataset”, consisting of more than 140 data fields designed to streamline environmental reporting. Developed over the course of a year, the dataset was proposed by the IMO’s Expert Group on Data Harmonisation (EGDH) in collaboration with major industry stakeholders.

Who’s Behind the Effort?

This initiative was the result of a joint project by classification societies from the Smart Maritime Council—including Lloyd’s Register, ABS, Bureau Veritas, ClassNK, and DNV—working alongside BIMCO, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), and Energy LEAP.

Why It Matters

The harmonised dataset will support compliance with current and future emissions regulations, including:

• IMO Data Collection System (DCS)

• EU Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV)

• Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII)

• FuelEU Maritime

By consolidating reporting requirements across these frameworks, the dataset enables ship operators to submit unified reports, reducing the compliance burden and improving the accuracy of emissions data.

Industry Response

• BIMCO’s Chief Naval Architect, Jeppe Skovbakke Juhl, emphasized the role of harmonised data in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, noting that consistent reporting is key to effective verification and stakeholder trust.

• Duncan Duffy of Lloyd’s Register highlighted how the update addresses shipowners’ challenges around data standardisation.

• Gurinder Singh (ABS Wavesight) and Matthieu de Tugny (Bureau Veritas) echoed the sentiment, framing this as a foundation for managing emissions on a global scale.

A Tool for the Future

The IMO Compendium now serves as a central reference point for standardised electronic data exchange across shipping, trade, and port operations. The update solidifies the Compendium’s role in promoting cooperation, trust in environmental data, and smoother digital integration for maritime stakeholders worldwide.