OPX (2026) €171.00 $197,00 -24.0% 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

A newsletter titled March 2026: OceanScore Pool-Price Index Market Commentary features a large container ship at sea, photographed from above, with colorful containers on its deck.
FuelEUFuelEU PoolingOPX
2 min read

OceanScore Pool-Price Index Market Commentary: March 2026

OPX dropped to €200 per tCO₂e in March, the lowest level since September 2025. Increasing surplus supply and limited deficit…

Albrecht Grell
Shipping industry professionals discussing EUA procurement strategies and emissions cost management.
carbon dioxide equivalentEmissionsemissions trading system eueu emissionseu emissions trading systemEU ETSEUAsEuropean Union emissions tradingsecondary market
3 min read

EUA Trading Strategy for Shipping: How to Buy EU Allowances Efficiently

EUAs can be purchased at a fixed price at auctions arranged during the year by the European Energy Exchange. They…

OceanScore
Aerial view of a cargo ship’s deck and equipment traveling across the ocean, used as a blog image for FuelEU pooling price scenario analysis
European Union emissions tradingFuelEUmaritime datamaritime operationsmodel pricepenaltiespooling
6 min read

OceanScore models price scenario for FuelEU pooling as alternative to penalties

OceanScore provides insights on compliance surpluses and price clarity for FuelEU Maritime's pooling mechanism, offering shipping companies cost-effective compliance solutions.

OceanScore
3 min read

EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime: Challenges and Opportunities for Asian Shipping

Asian shipowners face unique challenges as EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime take full effect. Fewer European voyages, complex Union Registry…

OceanScore
FuelEUfueleu maritime regulationimo
2 min read

IMO MEPC83 – April May Define the Future of Maritime Decarbonization

Discover how MEPC83 affects shipping companies in 2025, from new IMO decarbonization targets to emerging compliance risks and regional rule…

OceanScore
View of Big Ben and the Union Jack flag in London used as a blog image discussing the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and its role in maritime decarbonisation
emissions trading scheme ukgreenhouse gas emissions permitJanuary 2021participation in the euuk emissions trading schemeuk ets
9 min read

UK ETS Can Nudge Shipping Towards Decarbonisation, But Won’t Suffice on Its Own

EUAs can be purchased at a fixed price at auctions arranged during the year by the European Energy Exchange. They…

OceanScore
Portrait of Ralf Garrn, co managing director of OceanScore wearing glasses displayed alongside an OceanScore blog headline discussing estimated €175 million FuelEU Maritime compliance costs for Greek shipping
FuelEUfueleu maritime regulationmaritime datamaritime operationsmaritime regulation
5 min read

OceanScore calculates €175m potential costs for Greek shipping with FuelEU Maritime

Greek shipping companies may face over €175m in penalties under FuelEU Maritime. OceanScore provides tools to optimize fuel selection, reduce…

OceanScore
compliance manager
3 min read

Forecasting for Maritime Compliance: A Closer Look Inside OceanScore’s Compliance Manager

A Forecasting Module That Earns Global Praise OceanScore’s Compliance Manager entails a forecasting module for maritime compliance that is receiving…

OceanScore
compliance manageretsFuelEU
2 min read

Compliance Manager 2.4: Advancing Maritime Compliance with Speed and Precision

Nearly 1.000 vessels are already using OceanScore’s Compliance Manager to manage their FuelEU Maritime processes and to secure the needed…

OceanScore
Asian shipping companies confront rising EU ETS costs, with major impacts on compliance and emissions trading.
Asiaemissions trading systemeu emissioneu emissions tradingshipping companiestrading system eu
5 min read

Asian shipowners face hefty emissions liabilities of €1bn for EU-bound voyages

Asian shipowners with vessels sailing to and from Europe are likely to face estimated emissions liabilities of over €1 billion…

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