The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is conducting a review of the 2020 requirements of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI). In the current regulation, a ship built after 1 January 2020 needs to have an EEDI that is 20% below the reference value for that type of vessel. This study shows that many ships are already exceeding the 2020 goals five years in advance. It concludes that more stringent targets are readily achievable. A requirement is deemed to be readily achievable if it is achieved by the 10, 20 or 30% best performing ships that entered the fleet in 2014 and 2015.