04/07/2017 (Agence Europe) – The design efficiency of new ships is not improving according to a study carried out by CE Delft Study and commissioned by Transport & Environment (T&E) and Seas at Risk. In 2016, this design efficiency was below 2015 standards for bulk carriers, oil tankers and gas carriers. Design efficiency for container ships and general cargo ships also appears to have stagnated. The study indicates that the number of new ships complying with future energy efficiency standards set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) also fell in 2016. The two organisations that commissioned the report consider that tightening up the energy efficiency design index for new ships introduced by the IMO and which defines standards, should be a priority 2017 and 2018. (LT)