IMO DCS from 2026: six new things to record
Fuel by consumer, fuel while not under way, shore power, transport work, laden distance and innovative technology: the data IMO now asks for.
IMO DCSMEPC.385(81)
In brief
- Instrument
- MARPOL Annex VI, regulation 27 and Appendix IX, as amended by MEPC.385(81)
- Ships in scope
- 5,000 GT and above
- Applies to
- Data collected from 1 Jan 2026
- Reported to
- The flag Administration, which passes it to IMO
- Ship’s plan
- SEEMP Part II updated to say how the new data is collected
The six additions
- Fuel by consumer. Split between main engines, auxiliary engines, boilers and others.
- Fuel while not under way. By fuel type and by consumer.
- Shore power. Electricity received from shore, in kWh.
- Transport work. Cargo carried multiplied by distance, in the unit set for the ship type.
- Laden distance. Distance sailed while loaded, reported voluntarily.
- Innovative technology. Energy-saving technology on board, by IMO category.
Why it matters
The new fields show how fuel is used on board, not only how much: at sea and alongside, consumer by consumer. A record kept through the year is far easier than a reconstruction in January.
What to check
- How each consumer’s fuel is measured: flow meters, tank soundings or another documented method.
- Fuel used while not under way kept apart from fuel used on passage.
- Cargo figures captured voyage by voyage for transport work.
Our reading at 8 Oct 2026, for planning. Not legal advice; the authority’s current text decides.
Sources
- MARPOL Annex VI, regulation 27 and Appendix IX
- Resolution MEPC.385(81)
- MEPC.1/Circ.913