- Which Vessels Must Comply with the New EU Continuous Engine‑Power Monitoring Rules?
Under the amended EU Control Regulation, catching vessels must undergo a joint risk assessment if they meet both of the following criteria:
- They have inboard propulsion engines with a certified power greater than 221 kW, and
- They use towed gear, as defined in Regulation (EU) 2019/1241.
If the joint assessment identifies the vessel as high risk, the Member State must ensure that it is fitted with a permanently installed continuous engine‑power monitoring system by 10 January 2028.
- Why is Precise Engine‑Power Measurement Required for these Vessels?
For vessels in this category, the EU requires continuous monitoring to ensure that actual engine power never exceeds the certified power stated on the vessel’s licence, since excess power can affect fishing effort and stock sustainability. The monitoring system must measure shaft torque and shaft speed and must achieve a bias error no greater than 2.5 percent, ensuring that authorities can reliably determine whether a vessel has remained within its legal limits at all times.
- How can I verify and prove my engine power for my EU fishing licence?
This can be done temporarily using a temporary shaft power measurement system which installs direct to the propulsion shaft and running engine tests to full power. The data can be logged and stored as evidence. The Datum Electronics Shaft Power Measurement Kit is the kit of choice by many EU fishery agencies and is simple, easy to install to prove your engine power unobtrusively and without the need of a team of technicians as it has been designed to be installed direct by customer. The SPMK system can be installed in less than 30 minutes and removed from shaft after your tests are done with a log file for you to keep.
Regulatory Compliance for Sustainable Marine Operations
Shaft Power Monitoring for Emissions Reduction, Fuel Efficiency, and Legal Verification
Across the commercial and fisheries sectors, vessel operators are increasingly required to demonstrate compliance with regulations that address sustainability, fuel use, emissions, and certified propulsion power.
Frameworks such as the IMO’s EEXI and CII place obligations on commercial vessels to monitor and manage propulsion power, while the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and upcoming Control Regulations will soon require continuous engine power monitoring. These developments are set to drive the adoption of fixed shaft power measurement solutions, as large numbers of working vessels seek to demonstrate compliance beyond temporary trials.
Vessels & Activities Affected
- Commercial vessels subject to EEXI & CII requirements.
- Vessels using Shaft Power Limitation (SHaPoLi) systems.
- Operators adopting alternative fuels, energy‑saving devices, electrification, and other decarbonisation efforts.
- Fishing vessels undergoing engine‑power verification under EU CFP rules.
- Service providers and regulators conducting trials, audits, or technical inspections.
Our Role
For decades Datum Electronics has provided portable and permanent shaft power measurement solutions used by commercial fleet operators, state authorities, and modern navies. These systems supply accurate torque, speed and power data that support compliance testing, performance analysis, and sustainability strategies.
Related Products
Shaft Power Monitoring Systems
Permanent Shaft Power Meter for Continuous Monitoring. It’s lightweight and modular form factor makes it well suited for confined vessels.
Shaft Power Measurement Kits
Temporary Shaft Power Measurement Kit for sea trials. Its compact, strain‑gauge based system fits quickly to shafts for reliable field measurements.
EEXI SHaPoLi Interface System
Datum EEXI SHaPoLi helps vessels comply with the MARPOL Annex VI and EEXI regulations relating to vessel air pollution and CO2 emissions.
EU Fisheries (Engine Power Verification)
Under the Common Fisheries Policy, engine power is a key capacity indicator and must reflect the actual maximum continuous propulsion power installed on board. Member States are required to certify and verify engine power and to detect vessels operating above their declared or licensed power. Verification is conducted using shaft torque and speed measurement to assess real behaviour under working conditions.
New requirements under the amended Control Regulation introduce continuous engine power monitoring for certain catching vessels from 10th January 2028. These systems must be permanently installed, measure and store power data on board, and provide accessible records for officials. They are intended to ensure that certified power values are not exceeded, with detailed functional and technical specifications defined by the Commission.
EEXI and Shaft Power Limitation (SHaPoLi)
Under MARPOL Annex VI, which introduced stricter environmental controls for shipping and came into effect in its amended form in January 2023, the IMO established regulations on energy efficiency such as the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII). These measures required a significant number of vessels to restrict their maximum engine power and to provide evidence that propulsion power remains within the approved limits, which led to a surge in demand for robust shaft power monitoring solutions.
Notably, the concept of Shaft Power Limitation (SHaPoLi) – originally proposed as a technical solution to meet EEXI requirements – has its roots in collaborative industry efforts to support transparent propulsion performance reporting, as expected by port authorities and regulatory bodies throughout each voyage.
The Datum Electronics EEXI Shaft Power System continuously measures and records shaft power using a secure data link between the Shaft Power Meter and the bridge interface. The system automatically generates voyage reports for regulatory documentation and records any power exceedance events, including the time and stated reason, which is required for exceptional circumstances. It offers a practical means of meeting EEXI and SHaPoLi monitoring requirements while giving operators clear visibility of propulsion power in service.
Related Case Studies
Verification Across EU Member States
Engine‑power verification carried out across multiple fishing vessels to support Member States in meeting EU regulatory requirements.
Fishing Vessel Engine-Power Verification
Temporary engine‑power testing undertaken on selected fishing vessels to support regulatory inspections under EU fisheries control rules.
Supporting Electrification & Efficiency Upgrades
Real‑world shaft power data gathered to inform the development and optimisation of an electric drive system for amphibious passenger vehicles.
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