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

6 min read

EU Ports Strategy 2026: What It Means for Port Emissions, Digitalisation and Decarbonisation

The EU Ports Strategy 2026 sets clear priorities for emissions reduction, digitalisation and resilience. As ports move from ambition to…

Damla Hasenclever
FuelEUpooling
4 min read

FuelEU Maritime Pooling: A Viable Strategy

FuelEU allows for pooling compliance deficits and surpluses as one way to secure compliance. OceanScore analyses continues to show that…

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
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
OceanScore’s review of BIMCO’s FuelEU Maritime clause and its challenges.
carbon marketcarbon priceEmissionseu carbonEU ETSEuropean Commissionshipping companiesverified emissions
3 min read

EU ETS & MRV in Shipping: Defining Responsibility Between Owners and Managers

Shipping companies need to establish clear lines of responsibility both for reporting emissions under the EU’s MRV (Monitoring, Reporting and…

OceanScore
BIMCOClausecompliance deficitcompliance managerFuelEUlong termmaritime regulationOfficial Statementpooled compliancereporting periodTime Charter Parties
4 min read

OceanScore reviews BIMCO FuelEU Clause for Time Charter Parties 

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

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

OceanScore Pool-Price Index Market Commentary: August 2025

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

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
imomaritime regulationMEPC
2 min read

OceanScore’s commentary on MEPC ES and IMO NZF

The IMO’s Net Zero Framework is effectively dead, and the broader role of the MEPC is now in question. Friday’s…

OceanScore
Newsletter banner for OceanScores February 2026 Pool-Price Index Market Commentary, featuring an aerial view of a large container ship moving through the ocean.
FuelEUFuelEU PoolingOPX
2 min read

OceanScore Pool-Price Index Market Commentary: February 2026

After compliance balances were closed at year-end, additional 2025 surplus volumes were released to the market in January. This increase…

Albrecht Grell
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