Answer
Sustainable Fuel Certification Scheme, or SFCS, was developed under IMO’s LCA framework. The concept started with MEPC 80 LCA Guidelines, was further developed at MEPC 81, and the formal SFCS mechanism was included in the IMO Net-Zero Framework at MEPC 83.
What is the Sustainable Fuel Certification Scheme?
It is a recognized third-party verification and certification system that tracks, audits, and proves the sustainability and Well-to-Wake (WtW) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions factor of marine alternative fuels (such as biofuels, e-fuels, green methanol, and ammonia) throughout their entire supply chain—from raw feedstock extraction to final delivery onboard.
Under MARPOL Annex VI and the IMO GHG Strategy, a ship cannot simply claim that a fuel is "green" or "zero-emission" without statutory evidence. The certification scheme provides the legal and auditable proof required for Flag States, Port State Control (PSC), and regulatory bodies.