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As 2025 comes to a close, the reality of pooling is taking shape. Based on aggregated insights from over 2,300 vessels using OceanScore’s platform, clear patterns are emerging, showing how charterer pooling is being applied, and where the gaps remain.
The Open Question: Who Pays?
FuelEU Maritime still lacks a clear “polluter pays” principle. That leaves cost responsibility open to interpretation, between owners, charterers, and managers.
The key uncertainty is not just when Charter Party clauses will be agreed, but how compensation will flow — from charterer to owner, and from owner to manager under SHIPMAN.
Pooling Only Covers Full Calendar Years
Pooling always applies to a vessel’s full-year compliance balance. Only full calendar years can easily be pooled. For example:
A three-year charter typically includes:
2 partial years
2 full years
Only those two full years can easily be pooled.
What the Data Shows
From 2,300+ vessels using OceanScore’s platform:
34% are chartered for the entirety of 2025
66% have multiple charterers within the year
In the container segment, 51% of vessels are chartered for the full year
That means roughly one-third of chartered tonnage can easily be pooled by charterers in 2025 — assuming Charter Party clauses are agreed.
The Start and End Gaps
When pooling is agreed for years only partially covered by a charter, the start and end months often remain uncovered.
Those periods require separate arrangements and compensation mechanisms.
As pooling prices rise, these uncovered months are increasingly shaping owners’ and charterers’ commercial strategies.
Not Every Vessel Will Be Pooled
FuelEU pooling will not be universal. It will depend on charter length, segment, and timing.
In practice, “my charterer will take care of pooling” might not work as well as hoped. Transparency, flexibility, and continuous compliance tracking will be essential to manage FuelEU costs effectively in 2025 and beyond.
Click here to learn more about OceanScore’s FuelEU Pooling Marketplace.
