The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has taken a significant step toward more stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations following its Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) meeting held in April 2025. Among the major updates, the committee finalized new Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) reduction targets through 2030, with substantial implications for vessels operating reefer containers.
These new targets, known as Z factors, progressively tighten emissions limits:
- 2027: -13.625%
- 2028: -16.25%
- 2029: -18.875%
- 2030: -21.5%
CII measures the operational carbon efficiency of ships. A vessel’s performance against these Z factors determines its rating on a scale from A (best) to E (worst). Consecutive years with D or a single year with E will trigger mandatory corrective action plans. This means that vessels currently scoring within the compliant range (C or B) could be downgraded without proactive adjustments.
One of the standout challenges addressed at MEPC 83 was reefer energy consumption. Container and reefer ships require significant electricity to operate cooling units. This energy demand is often met by burning additional fuel, which inflates emissions data used to calculate CII scores.
The committee officially acknowledged this concern under “Challenge/Gap 15,” highlighting that current CII calculations may unfairly penalize reefer-heavy vessels. While long-term regulatory adjustments are expected in Phase 2 of the CII review, the issue has become immediately relevant for shipping companies looking to protect their compliance status.
How Greensee Supports Reefer Operators
Greensee addresses this challenge through its reefer-focused monitoring solution, RISE:
- RISE collects detailed power usage data from reefer units onboard
- This data is integrated into VISTA, our emissions intelligence platform, to produce accurate CII calculations
- Upcoming regulatory provisions may allow reefer-related emissions to be deducted, improving a ship’s rating
These tools help reefer operators move from reactive compliance to proactive efficiency.
To learn more about how RISE and VISTA can support your fleet’s transition to CII compliance and carbon efficiency, visit greensee.ai or contact our team.