The UK-MRV Regulation for Shipping Emissions
Choose RINA's Expertise in UK-MRV Audits
The UK-MRV regulation, established in 2022, governs the monitoring, reporting, and verification of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from ships engaged in UK-related voyages, including those arriving at or departing from UK ports.
It shares similarities with the EU MRV, which aims to assess the environmental impact of maritime transport and to serve as the basis for carbon tax determination through the EU ETS and Fuel EU Maritime regulations.
The UK MRV, instituted post-Brexit on 1 January 2021, stands as the third significant CO2 reporting protocol for shipping firms, alongside the EU MRV and IMO DCS regulations. The UK Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) framework includes the obligation for ship operators and verifiers to collect and report emissions data.
Regulatory Focus
Ships over 5,000 gross tonnes that transport cargo and/or passengers for commercial purposes to, from, or between UK ports, as well as within UK ports (including time spent at berth), are subject to the UK MRV regime.
To prevent redundancy, emissions data for voyages between UK and European Economic Area (EEA) ports are exempt from the UK MRV's monitoring, verification, and reporting requirements.
The same exemptions that are applicable under the EU MRV regime, such as those for warships, also apply to vessels governed by the UK MRV regime.
Audit Procedure
- Evaluation of carbon dioxide emission monitoring plans: Ships that dock at UK ports are required to have a monitoring plan that complies with the relevant UK MRV regulations. Ship operators must develop a monitoring plan for each vessel, detailing the methods they will employ to monitor and report emissions data. This data is based on fuel consumption and other parameters, such as distance travelled, time at sea, and cargo carried, calculated on a per-voyage basis. The monitoring plan must undergo an assessment by RINA, and the ship operator must rectify any non-conformities before data collection under the UK MRV regime can start. Once no significant anomalies are detected, or if identified anomalies have been resolved and closed, a statement of conformity is issued.
- Verification of carbon dioxide emissions reports: The UK MRV regime obligates ship operators to monitor emissions, based on their approved monitoring plans, and compile the data into an annual emissions report. This report details fuel consumption, distance travelled, cargo carried, and CO2 emissions for voyages under the UK MRV. RINA assesses the emissions report, and the ship operator must address any non-conformities. A statement of conformity is issued once significant anomalies are either absent or resolved.
Why RINA?
RINA is accredited by UKAS for the evaluation of monitoring plans and the verification of emissions reports, in line with the UK Shipping MRV regulations.
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