CII for general cargo ships: required CII, rating boundaries and calculator
The carbon intensity a general cargo ship must reach each year from 2023 to 2030, by size, with the IMO reference line and the A to E boundaries. Try it on your own ship below.
Updated 2026-10-20
Calculate
Required CII for general cargo ships, 2023 to 2030
| Size | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 dwt | 20.42 | 19.99 | 19.56 | 19.13 | 18.57 | 18.00 | 17.44 | 16.87 |
| 12,000 dwt | 14.53 | 14.23 | 13.92 | 13.61 | 13.21 | 12.81 | 12.41 | 12.01 |
| 25,000 dwt | 9.98 | 9.77 | 9.56 | 9.35 | 9.07 | 8.80 | 8.52 | 8.24 |
g CO₂ per dwt-nautical mile. Required CII = (1 − Z/100) × a × capacity−c, with Z from 5% in 2023 to 21.5% in 2030 (resolution MEPC.338(76) as amended).
The reference line
Two reference lines: one below 20,000 dwt (a = 588, c = 0.3885) and one from 20,000 dwt (a = 31,948, c = 0.792). Capacity basis: deadweight (G2, resolution MEPC.353(78)).
Rating boundaries in 2026
| Size | A up to | B up to | C up to | D up to | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 dwt | 15.88 | 17.98 | 20.28 | 22.76 | above |
| 12,000 dwt | 11.30 | 12.80 | 14.43 | 16.20 | above |
| 25,000 dwt | 7.76 | 8.79 | 9.91 | 11.12 | above |
Boundaries are the required CII multiplied by 0.83, 0.94, 1.06, 1.19 (G4, resolution MEPC.354(78)).
Rated D or E?
A ship rated D three years running, or E once, needs a corrective action plan in its SEEMP Part III. How the plan is prepared, or check what EU ETS and FuelEU cost the same ship in the EU ETS and FuelEU calculators.
Questions
What is the required CII for a 12,000 dwt general cargo ship in 2027?
13.21 g CO₂ per dwt-nautical mile: the reference value of 15.30 reduced by 13.625%.
Which capacity is used for the CII of a general cargo ship?
Deadweight. Two reference lines: one below 20,000 dwt (a = 588, c = 0.3885) and one from 20,000 dwt (a = 31,948, c = 0.792).
What are the CII rating boundaries for general cargo ships?
The required CII multiplied by 0.83, 0.94, 1.06 and 1.19. For a 12,000 dwt ship in 2026 a CII up to 11.30 is A, up to 12.80 B, up to 14.43 C, up to 16.20 D, and above that E.
How many general cargo ships report to the EU MRV register?
3,020 in the reporting period 2025, with a median of 2,568 tonnes of CO₂ each.
EU ETS, FuelEU, CII and UK ETS for each ship, from the public register or your own data.