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 storyIn their 80th session, IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee agreed to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping ‘by or around’ 2050 and that the mid-term GHG reduction measures, including a maritime GHG emissions pricing mechanism should be finalised and adopted by 2025. Let’s take a closer look at the key outcomes of the meeting.
A fee of 150 USD per tonne CO2e emitted from ships discharging international cargo at U.S. ports is suggested to be implemented from January 2024. The new carbon fee would be added to the EU ETS carbon cost.
Shipping’s inclusion in the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) brought carbon pricing to the maritime sector. For charterers who want to leverage the opportunities of the transition, it’s time to embrace the change and learn how to navigate the EU ETS. A good way to start is to understand how the new regulations impact your everyday work. So, we sum up some key aspects of the EU ETS - from a chartering perspective.
