UNITED NATIONS (UN) shipping rules targeting carbon emissions have provoked criticism, with shipping companies being able to exploit loopholes, reports London's Financial Times.
Some executives in the sector have highlighted various weaknesses in the rules, with others accusing certain member states within the UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) of resisting tougher measures.
Some experts claim the regulations were watered down because of lobbying.
The Carbon Intensity Indicator regulations are being introduced amid increasing pressure from environmentalist lobbies on shipping groups to become less polluting.
Twenty-five per cent of containerships are set to receive the lowest rating, with 15 per cent of bulk and crude tankers.
With IMO measures weeks from being enforced, industry leaders declared companies could find workarounds.
"You can pull various levers [to improve your rating]," said BIMCO deputy secretary general Lars Robert Pedersen.
"An improvement of the CII rating does not necessarily translate into something that is better for the environment."
Maersk regulatory affairs director Simon Bergulf declared weak enforcement could also limit the impact of the measures.
Mr Bergulf suggested certain IMO member states had resisted stronger measures to protect national industries.
Meanwhile, UCL shipping researcher Tristan Smith argued that parts of the private sector also lobbied for more flexible rules and exemptions.
In 2019, BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping called for the IMO to allow shipowners to select their own standards for measuring energy efficiency.
The IMO stated decisions on regulations were made by member states who "discussed intensively" the calculation methods.