(a) The IMO Data Collection System (DCS) for fuel oil consumption is a mandatory requirement for certain ships, aimed at supporting efforts to enhance energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping.

(i) Applicability of Ship Size (Gross Tonnage - GT):

• The IMO DCS applies to each ship of 5,000 GT and above.
• Such ships are required to collect and report specified data on fuel oil consumption annually.

(ii) Entry into Force of DCS Requirements:

• The legal requirement is laid down in Regulation 22A of MARPOL Annex VI, which entered into force on 1 March 2018.
• However, data collection became mandatory from calendar year 2019, starting on 1 January 2019.
• For the first reporting period (2019), the submission deadline was by the end of March 2020.

(iii) Data Required to Be Collected by the Ship:

As per Appendix IX of MARPOL Annex VI, the following data must be submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database:

1. Ship Identification Details:
   • Name of the ship
   • IMO number
2. Reporting Period:
   • Calendar year period for which data is submitted
   • Start date (dd/mm/yyyy)
   • End date (dd/mm/yyyy)
3. Technical Characteristics of the Ship:
   • Ship type (as per Regulation 2 of Annex VI or otherwise specified)
   • Gross Tonnage (GT) – as per International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969
   • Net Tonnage (NT) – as per the same convention
   • Deadweight Tonnage (DWT)
   • Power output (rated power) of main and auxiliary internal combustion engines over 130 kW (in kW)
   • EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index), if applicable
   • Ice Class, if applicable
4. Operational Data:
   • Fuel oil consumption by fuel type (in metric tonnes)
   • Methods used to collect fuel oil consumption data
   • Distance travelled
   • Hours underway

(iv) Submission of Aggregated Data:

• Within three months after the end of each calendar year, the ship must report the aggregated values for each data point to its Administration or an authorized organization.
• Submission is done via electronic communication and in a standardized format provided by the IMO.

(v) Relevance of SEEMP (Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan) to the DCS:

• The SEEMP is required to include a description of the methodology that will be used for data collection as per Regulation 22A.
• It must also outline the processes for reporting the data to the ship's Administration.
• This ensures consistency, transparency, and compliance with DCS requirements.

EU Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) Regulation:

1. Scope:

• Applicable to ships larger than 5,000 GT calling at any EU port, regardless of flag.
• Focused on CO2 emissions from all voyages to, from, and between EU ports.

2. Reporting Requirements:

• Ships must monitor and report CO2 emissions, fuel consumption, and other relevant information on a per-voyage and annual basis. Data includes CO2 emissions, distance traveled, time spent at sea, cargo carried, and transport work.

3. Verification:

• Emission reports must be verified by accredited third-party verifiers to ensure accuracy and compliance.

4. Public Disclosure:

• Emission data is made publicly available by the European Commission to enhance transparency and promote accountability.

MARPOL Annex VI Data Collection System (DCS):

1. Scope:

• Applicable to ships of 5,000 GT and above engaged in international voyages.
• Focused on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, but also includes data on energy efficiency.

2. Reporting Requirements:

• Ships must collect and report fuel consumption, distance traveled, and hours underway on an annual basis.
• The data is reported to the ship's flag State, which then reports aggregated data to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

3. Verification:

• The flag state is responsible for verifying the data before submission to the IMO.

4. Confidentiality:

• Data reported under MARPOL DCS is aggregated and anonymized before being made available to the public, maintaining confidentiality of individual ship data.