Lloyd’s Register (LR) has contributed to cross-industry work aimed at improving how vessel operational and fuel-consumption data is structured and exchanged across the maritime sector.
LR has participated in the Tripartite Joint Industry Working Group (JIWG), chaired by BIMCO, bringing its experience in environmental compliance, emissions verification and maritime data to discussions on the Operational Vessel Data (OVD) framework. LR’s involvement has focused on providing technical input and industry feedback as the framework has developed.
The work responds to the challenge facing shipowners and operators as emissions reporting requirements increase. Operational and fuel-consumption data can pass between vessels, shipping companies, software providers, verifiers and regulatory bodies, often using different formats and definitions. This can lead to the same information being mapped and checked several times.
Greater consistency in how that information is structured could help reduce repetitive data handling, improve data quality and make it easier for different maritime systems to exchange information.
The OVD framework sets out common data elements, names, units and structures for operational vessel information. It is designed to provide a consistent approach to exchanging data without prescribing how information should be collected onboard, which software should be used or where data should be stored.
Maria Kalamatianou, Product Manager - Environmental Compliance, LR, said: “Shipping is handling an increasing volume of operational and emissions data, often across different systems and reporting requirements. Improving consistency in how that data is structured and exchanged can help reduce unnecessary duplication and make reporting processes more efficient.”
LR will continue to contribute technical expertise through the JIWG as the industry gains practical experience of using common approaches to operational vessel data.
