OPX (2026) €108,60 $122,98 -10.30% to prev. month
EUA €68.86 $80.22 -0.86% to prev. day
EmissionsEU ETSEUAs
2 min read

Getting up to speed with the EU ETS: a guide to best practice

Implementation of the EU ETS for shipping from 1 January 2024 entails new regulatory complexity and financial risk with significant liabilities for the industry due to the requirement for shipping companies to purchase carbon credits to compensate for their annual emissions.    This presents a new set of challenges for shipping companies such as determining […]

OceanScore
Shipping companies face compliance challenges under the EU ETS, requiring carbon credit purchases, data verification, and cost allocation strategies. Learn how to navigate these complexities.

Implementation of the EU ETS for shipping from 1 January 2024 entails new regulatory complexity and financial risk with significant liabilities for the industry due to the requirement for shipping companies to purchase carbon credits to compensate for their annual emissions. 

 

This presents a new set of challenges for shipping companies such as determining who is responsible for compliance with the EU ETS, who should pay for emissions, what contractual obligations need to be in place, data-handling and verification procedures, how to procure carbon credits, what trading platform to use and how to allocate costs across the value chain. 

 

In order to navigate these myriad complexities, administrative systems need to be set up with digital automation of the various processes to effectively manage and mitigate the risks and ensure efficient compliance with the regulation, given non-compliance can incur heavy financial penalties or even an EU trading ban for an entire fleet. 

 

OceanScore has been supporting dozens of partners in efficiently managing compliance with this regulation and securing end-to-end transparency to limit the inherent risks. In this series of blogs, we share some of our insights for EU ETS best practice to clarify the steps required.  

While not definitive, as the diverse nature of shipping requires a tailored approach, it is intended as a useful guide to help companies define their EU ETS strategy and avoid some of the pitfalls on the difficult path to compliance. 

Related posts

Newsletter banner for OceanScores September 2025 Pool-Price Index Market Commentary, featuring an aerial view of a large container ship moving through the ocean.
FuelEUFuelEU Pooling
1 min read

OceanScore Pool-Price Index Market Commentary: September 2025

As global trade grows and decarbonization pressures increase, the shipping industry is facing heightened scrutiny over its environmental impact. At…

Albrecht Grell
FuelEUFuelEU PoolingOPX
1 min read

OceanScore Pool-Price Index Market Commentary: August 2026

OPX falls to €118.90/tCO₂e in August as FuelEU pooling activity slows over the summer, with observed offer levels ranging from…

Albrecht Grell
port emissions monitoringportview
7 min read

Port Emissions Monitoring: How Ports Measure, Understand and Reduce Vessel Emissions

This guide explains port emissions monitoring, how vessel emissions in ports are measured, and how ports can use emissions data…

Damla Hasenclever
fueleu maritime regulationshipping
4 min read

FuelEU Maritime Regulation: How the Shipping Industry Could Profit €250M Instead of Losing Money

FuelEU is not just a cost to shipping (in contrast to EU ETS, for example), it does actually inject money…

OceanScore
4 min read

UK ETS Maritime 2026: Scope, Timeline and Compliance Checklist for Shipping Companies

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) expands to maritime from 1 July 2026. This guide explains what is covered,…

OceanScore
Ships plying the Red Sea route to Europe are running the gauntlet of Houthi missile attacks in the Bab-el-Mandeb strait. Image: Shutterstock
emissions trading system eueu allowance euaEU ETSeu ets managementRed Sea crises
4 min read

OceanScore analysis shows near-tripling of EU ETS costs due to Red Sea crisis

Houthi missile attacks on Red Sea shipping routes lead to higher emissions and increased costs for shipping companies under the…

OceanScore
compliance deficitcompliance managerEU ETSFuelEUoceanscore
2 min read

De-Risking Your FuelEU Clauses: Complexity Meets Commercial Reality

FuelEU Charter Party impact shipping compliance costs. OceanScore’s FuelEU Planner helps with cost risks & pooling strategies with precision

OceanScore
FuelEUpooling
3 min read

Pooling Compliance Balances in Time Charters: Key Risks and Negotiation Tips

With verification according to EU ETS completed for most shipping companies, a critical assessment of EUA buying strategies is a…

OceanScore
Cargo ship in Singapore, navigating EU ETS compliance.
asian shipping emissionsemission trading systemEU ETSSingapore
5 min read

Singaporean vessels to contribute €330m share of Asian shipping’s emissions liabilities under EU ETS

Singapore-registered vessels will be required to contribute a significant €330m share of Asian shipping’s total emissions liabilities under the EU…

OceanScore
EU ETS compliance: Setting up a Maritime Operator Holding Account (MOHA) and Union Registry trading account for shipping companies.
cap and trade systemEmissionseu emissionseu emissions trading systemEU ETSEUAsinnovation fundtrading period
3 min read

Setting up accounts for EUAs

Shipping companies operating under the EU ETS will be required to open a Maritime Operator Holding Account (MOHA) for the…

OceanScore
Turn obligation into opportunity

Turn obligation into opportunity

Explore our maritime emissions compliance solutions designed to meet evolving regulations like EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime.

our clients and partners