BIMCO reports that the Tripartite Joint Industry Working Group (JIWG) has released two new frameworks that can help improve the exchange of operations and emissions data across the maritime industry.
The JIWG, chaired by BIMCO, was established under the Tripartite, a forum bringing together shipowners and operators, shipbuilders, and classification societies. As part of its work to develop a common approach for maritime emissions reporting, the JIWG has released version 1.0 of the operational vessel data (OVD) and vessel emissions reporting (VER) frameworks. The two frameworks complement each other and can help establish a common foundation for a more efficient exchange of data. Both OVD and VER are voluntary industry frameworks. They do not create new reporting obligations but provide a common approach that organisations may adopt to support more efficient and consistent data exchange.
The JIWG’s development of the OVD and VER frameworks complements and builds on earlier work by BIMCO and IACS (International Association of Classification Societies) to add emissions-reporting data elements to the IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business. While the IMO compendium provides common definitions and formats for maritime information, the latest work adds a practical implementation framework for exchanging operational vessel data and verified emissions-reporting results between industry systems.
The initiative also forms part of a broader move towards using the IMO compendium as a common foundation for maritime data exchange. Emerging use cases covering port-call optimisation, electronic seafarer certificates and maritime emissions reporting demonstrate how common data definitions can support interoperability across different parts of the maritime sector. The work of the group addresses the common industry challenge of stakeholders facing different reporting systems and data formats which often result in the same information being mapped, entered and checked multiple times.
The OVD and VER could support a more consistent, efficient and traceable exchange of data between ships, shipping companies, software providers, verification bodies and other authorised users. The approach can make it easier to reuse data more consistently across the industry and connected value chains.
According to BIMCO, the need for accurate and trusted maritime emissions reporting has increased due to the IMO data collection system (IMO DCS) and the EU monitoring, reporting and verification system (EU MRV). Although these requirements serve different purposes, the use of different datasets and system formats can create inconsistencies, repeated data mapping and manual work across the reporting chain.
The Tripartite JIWG has therefore worked to develop a common approach that allows data to move between different systems, regardless of the technology or service provider used. The OVD builds on a framework initially developed by DNV and subsequently considered through the wider JIWG process. The VER builds on an initial draft prepared by ClassNK and was further developed collaboratively by the participating organisations.
As part of the next phase, the Tripartite JIWG will assess options for transitioning OVD and VER towards independent and broadly representative governance. The objective is to establish clear ownership, open participation, transparent decision-making and predictable change management, providing confidence that the frameworks can be maintained as neutral and accessible industry resources.
Jeppe Skovbakke Juhl, Chief Naval Architect, Regulatory Affairs, BIMCO, and JIWG chair, said: “The maritime industry does not need more ways of exchanging the same information. It needs a common approach that allows data to move efficiently between organisations and systems. OVD and VER are an important step in that direction, reducing duplication and creating a stronger foundation for efficient and interoperable reporting.”
