Technical and Operational Measures Page Content The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) was made mandatory for new ships and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships at MEPC 62 (July 2011) with the adoption of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI ( resolution MEPC.203(62) ), by Parties to MARPOL Annex VI. This was the first legally binding climate change treaty to be adopted since the Kyoto Protocol.  Since this breakthrough MEPC 63 (March 2012) adopted four important guidelines ( resolutions MEPC.212(63) , MEPC.213(63) , MEPC.214(63) and MEPC.215(63) ) aimed at assisting the implementation of the mandatory regulations on Energy Efficiency for Ships in MARPOL Annex VI. Energy Efficiency Design Index The EEDI for new ships is the most important technical measure and it aims at promoting the use of more energy efficient (less polluting) equipment and engines.  The EEDI requires a minimum energy efficiency level per capacity mile (e.g. tonne mile) for different ship type and size segments.  From 1 January 2013, following an initial two year phase zero when new ship design will need to meet the reference level for their ship type, the level is to be tightened incrementally every five years, and so the EEDI is expected to stimulate continued innovation and technical development of all the components influencing the fuel efficiency of a ship from its design phase.  The EEDI is a non-prescriptive, performance-based mechanism that leaves the choice of technologies to use in a specific ship design to the industry.  As long as