Around 8,000 offshore vessels now fall under the EU Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) regulation (those of 400 GT and above). The emissions data collected in this compliance process will go on to help in determining carbon taxes for additional regulations that will impact the offshore fleet. These include the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and FuelEU Maritime which have already been introduced to the shipping sector. Offshore vessels will be phased into the EU ETS scheme while inclusion in FuelEU maritime remains pending for now.
Compliance in the offshore sector is more complicated than its shipping counterpart because of the sheer diversity of the fleet and the operations those vessels undertake (transit, stationary on DP…). Yet EU MRV compliance is more than just a box-ticking exercise—inaccurate data or a failed verification can lead to both penalties and commercial setbacks.
However, compliance doesn’t have to be a source of stress for you and your team. Alongside a dedicated, knowledgeable partner, compliance becomes a manageable and straightforward process. Here, we share how Spinergie can be that trusted partner in helping you navigate the hurdles to successful stress-free compliance.
Read More: EU regulations for the offshore sector: how EU-MRV and EU-ETS will make an impact
How we handle EU MRV for the complicated offshore sector
The introduction of EU MRV for offshore vessels of 400 GT and above presents a unique problem. The regulatory framework was initially introduced for shipping where a “voyage” is primarily a straightforward transit journey from Point A to Point B.
Operations in the offshore sector are significantly more complex, however, and don’t immediately fit this model. For example, an offshore support vessel (OSV) “voyage” can include multiple activities including a Dynamic Positioning (DP) period, being on standby, or undertaking short transits between installations. This is the tip of the iceberg given the multitude of activities (and so consumption modes) undertaken by different vessel types in this sector.
The EU MRV framework has refined the definition of port calls:
- From the last port of call to a port under the jurisdiction of a member state.
- From a port under the jurisdiction of a member state to the next port of call.
- Between ports under the jurisdiction of a member state.
However, the definition of a port of call for offshore vessels requires additional precision. Under this framework a port of call is where a vessel stops to load or unload cargo, embark or disembark passengers, or relieve crew. Additionally, offshore facilities (such as FPSOs or platforms) with an assigned UN/LOCODE identifier are considered ports. Note: Some specific stops are explicitly excluded from being classified as a port of call, as outlined in this article. This detailed framework ensures that emissions tracking and compliance are aligned with the unique operational profiles of offshore vessels.
With framework in mind, how do you ensure accuracy in reporting? Spinergie’s SFM (Smart Fleet Management) automatically logs the critical events that matter for compliance including departures or arrivals from a port or offshore site and the beginning and end of different operational phases. We ensure your fuel consumption data is correctly allocated by logging each phase as a distinct "voyage leg". This provides the granular, audit-ready reports that verifiers require.
Furthermore, by integrating and normalizing reporting, we can calculate and provide trends from past voyages. With this information we evaluate and optimize vessel consumption with regard to EU MRV and EU ETS requirements.
How Spinergie helps you defeat your compliance hurdles
Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. Here we share the three key factors that will ensure a smooth process.
Reporting: one-time entry—multiple possibilities
The foundation of successful EU MRV compliance is accurate, reliable data. Teams relying on manual processes using multiple reporting streams and spreadsheets will find this a significant challenge. The manual process is not only time-consuming but vulnerable to easy-to-miss mistakes that can snowball before being fixed. Once you also factor in the operational complexities of a diverse offshore fleet, ensuring data consistency and accuracy becomes a daunting task. This is where digital reporting becomes essential.
Spinergie’s SFM replaces this manual burden with an intuitive user-friendly system. Using AIS data at its core, our machine learning technology understands the nuances of offshore activities, eliminating the guesswork and risk of error from the reporting process. Automated sensor data joins tracking data to cover the bulk of your reporting requirements. Any additional manual input only needs to be completed once.
This “one-time entry” ethos means that your crews don’t waste time on double-work which can also allow more room for error. For example, end of day fuel measurements are entered once, and that data point will then populate any operational or contractual reports required. The same data point is also processed within the system for the emissions report.
A one-time manual entry system frees your team from constant data compilation and allows them to focus on core responsibilities. A single source of truth provides less room for error.
Data Processing: data with precision
You’ve collected your data, what now? It can be time-consuming and convoluted to process this data manually into spreadsheets or additional software. Furthermore, this kind of system means the potential for insight and analysis is minimal. While it might “do the job” it’s inefficient and leaves you more open to risk.
Spinergie’s SFM replaces that risk by turning your complex data into a simple, compliant document according to EU MRV criteria.
Verification: the final hurdle
The verification stage can be the most intimidating. You may worry that your report is in the wrong format, that you have missed something crucial, or have fears that the report might be rejected. In some cases, vessel managers wait until the end of the year to submit data. However, this can result in a frenzy to pull data into a spreadsheet that will ultimately be returned by verifiers with a significant amount of errors to be fixed in a short amount of time.
This is where you discover the full power of Spinergie's partnership. We act as your live liaison making sure:
- all submitted DPRs are translated to verifier requirements and automatically sent to them daily.
- you'll know quickly whether there are any errors to be rectified.
- you have the ability to "live check" for reporting issues and correct them as they arise.
- you won't have a huge compliance workload at the end of the year.
Reporting with Spinergie's SFM gives you the peace of mind that you can periodically check compliance and make corrections throughout the year. This makes the process significantly more manageable.
Furthermore, we will be your compliance expert, helping you prepare for the verification process and providing the background data and support needed to answer any queries from your chosen verifier.
With Spinergie by your side, you can face compliance with confidence.
Read More: Spinergie and Veracity by DNV strategic partnership enhances emissions reporting
Digital reporting and verification software is only part of the solution, successful compliance requires a partnership. With Spinergie you gain a trusted partner and dedicated expert that will be there every step of the way. Our mission is to remove the administrative burden and uncertainty that surrounds regulatory verification to give you complete confidence in your data.
Get in touch with us today to find out how our solution will be customized to your needs and operations while ensuring stress-free compliance.
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