EU shipping emissions rose in 2025. The ships did not emit more. The reported increase comes entirely from vessels that entered the reporting rules in 2025; follow the same ships through both years and emissions fell. Below the CO₂ line, methane rose sharply as LNG dual fuel ships reached the water, and from 2026 that methane becomes billable, pushing the maritime EU ETS bill toward 100 million allowances. For owners and charterers, the headline MRV number is only the starting point. The exposure sits behind it.
The full story2025 marks the first year of FuelEU Maritime reporting, and shipowners along with their managers are now preparing their data ahead of the 31 March submission deadline. Among the new requirements, one mechanism stands out as complex, yet important, if you want to cut compliance costs: fuel allocation.
Our CDO, Geir Olafsen, was recently asked to write a commentary for an ESG-themed issue of the Norwegian newspaper Finansavisa’s supplement, Kapital. He offered a clear-eyed view of why global climate action in shipping is stalling at the IMO and how regional initiatives, especially in the EU, are now shaping the path forward. To make these insights accessible to our international audience, we’re sharing an English version of his perspective on the regulatory shifts that will define the future of maritime decarbonisation.
PRODUCT UPDATE: Choosing the right fuel has never been more complex, or more important. With the new Optimiser function in the Siglar Carbon Estimator, you can now instantly identify which bunker fuel delivers the lowest combined cost across bunker, EU Allowances (EUAs), and FuelEU compliance.
