DNV GL has certified Hapag-Lloyd as the first shipowner to become Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV)-ready shipowner.

The certification demonstrates that Hapag-Lloyd is prepared, in principle, for the controversialEuropean Commission move to introduce regional emissions reporting requirements for shipping.

If finalised by 2015, as expected with, regulation No 525/2013 could come into force as early as 2018, and would provide a framework for amassing and publishing annual data on CO2 emissions from all vessels over 5,000gt calling at EU ports, irrespective of where the ships are registered.

"We are always trying to take proactive steps to anticipate upcoming regulations and be prepared with a compliance solution", said Richard von Berlepsch, senior director of Ship Management at Hapag-Lloyd. "Tracking and improving our emissions is important, not only for us as a firm but for our customers.

"However, Hapag-Lloyd concurs with various shipping associations that reporting of cargo and publication of such sensitive data should not be pursued."

Jörg Lampe, senior project engineer for Risk & Safety and Systems Engineering at DNV GL, indicated: "We are carrying out the examination work in line with the requirements of the DNV GL Environmental Passport-Operation – a programme aimed at providing a complete certified operational emission inventory, which addresses all of the emissions covered in MARPOL.

"Being willing to get out in front of the MRV regulations through early certification shows their leadership in this area and could be a valuable commercial advantage."