Scheme Navigator

Every maritime emission scheme in one place

The maritime emissions regulatory landscape is expanding, fast. EU ETS, FuelEU, the UK ETS, CII, the IMO Net-Zero Framework, and a growing number of sovereign carbon initiatives from individual states are reshaping the commercial calculus of every voyage, contract, and fleet decision.

The Siglar Carbon Scheme Navigator gives you a structured, expert-reviewed overview of every active and upcoming scheme with a direct commercial impact on the shipping value chain. It is free, requires no registration, and is maintained by a team that has been building maritime emissions intelligence since 2016.

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Quality-assured

Quality-assured scheme information, reviewed by maritime emissions specialists

Visual overview

All active and upcoming schemes in one visual overview

Cost examples

Cost illustrated on example routes, see what the regulations mean for real voyages

Explore the schemes

Active

UK Emissions Trading System

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) is the United Kingdom’s carbon pricing mechanism. It operates as a cap-and-trade system that places a cost on greenhouse gas emissions by requiring operators to surrender tradable emission allowances corresponding to their verified emissions.

Upcoming

IMO Net Zero Framework

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is developing a global regulatory framework intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping in line with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.

Active

EU Emissions Trading System

The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is the European Union’s carbon pricing mechanism, and since 2024 it has included maritime transport. It places a cost on greenhouse gas emissions from ships by requiring companies to monitor emissions (under EU MRV) and surrender tradable emission allowances.

Active

FuelEU Maritime

FuelEU Maritime is established under Regulation (EU) 2023/1805. It forms part of the EU climate framework and sets requirements to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of energy used on board ships calling at EU ports.

Active

California Ocean Going Vessels At Berth Regulation

The California Ocean Going Vessels At Berth Regulation is a mandatory operational standard for vessels while docked at California ports. The regulation requires vessels, terminals, ports and approved emission control operators to reduce emissions during port stays.

Latest regulatory updates

1-14 Jun 2026

UK ETS maritime goes live 1 July 2026. 🔗

15-31 May 2026

IMO’s SBSTA 64 submission confirmed MEPC 84 progress on Net-Zero Framework timing, marine-fuel LCA work and GHG-related technical work. 🔗

1-14 May 2026

15-30 Apr 2026

IMO opened MEPC 84, with Net-Zero Framework, CII review, ECAs, ballast water, plastics and biofouling on the environmental agenda. 🔗

1 - 14 Apr 2026

Twin deadlines passed: verified 2025 EU ETS emissions due 31 March 2026 (70% surrender obligation follows 30 September), and FuelEU third-party verification completed by 31 March.

FuelEU compliance balances are due for approval in the FuelEU database by 30 April 2026.

Last reviewed: June 2026 – Siglar Carbon emissions specialists

Common questions

Which schemes are currently active?

EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime, CII, California Shore Power and sovereign carbon initiatives in Djibouti and Gabon are all currently in force. The UK ETS entered its first compliance period on 1 July 2026. Each is covered in the scheme index above.

Does owner or charterer pay for the EU ETS?

The "shipping company", typically the ISM manager or registered owner, is the compliance party responsible for surrendering allowances. The economic cost is frequently passed through to charterers via charter party terms. This should be addressed explicitly in any fixture. Our EU ETS guide covers the responsibility framework in full.

What is the main difference between EU ETS and FuelEU?

EU ETS is a carbon pricing mechanism, shipping companies purchase and surrender allowances for GHG emissions on covered voyages. FuelEU Maritime is a fuel standard, it caps the GHG intensity of the energy used on board, with financial penalties for vessels that exceed the limit. Both apply simultaneously on EU-linked voyages and require separate compliance strategies.

What is the scope of the UK ETS?

The UK ETS applies to vessels of 5,000 GT and above on domestic voyages and berth calls in UK.

Are the African sovereign carbon schemes binding?

The schemes in Djibouti and Gabon are mandatory for qualifying vessels. The Liberian government confirmed no mandatory levy is in force.

Who uses the scheme navigator

Charterers

Assess combined regulatory cost exposure across trade lanes and charter structures before it shows up on your P&L.

Ship owners & operators

Map compliance obligations across your fleet, flag states, and trading patterns.

Brokers

Explain what emission regulations mean commercially, not just that they exist.

Commodity traders

Factor the full regulatory cost into your trading decisions.

Finance

Understand the regulatory environment affecting the assets that you finance.

Technical managers

Understand how the regulatory environment affects the fleet you manage, and what your responsibilities are under each scheme.

Go further

Want to know emissions and cost related to your voyages?

With the full Siglar Carbon Estimator you can calculate the regulatory costs of your own routes, vessel, and charter terms.

Try the Estimator for free →

Talk to our team

Fleet-level compliance management, regulatory risk, assessment, and advisory support on how the schemes affect your business.

Siglar Carbon

Maritime emissions
intelligence since 2016

Every scheme card on this Navigator has been written and reviewed by Siglar Carbon's maritime emissions specialists, working from primary regulatory sources, IMO circulars, EU legislation, national law, and official government communications. We do not rely on AI-generated content. In a world where regulatory information is easy to find but harder to verify, that distinction matters. When official government positions conflict with third-party claims, we follow the primary source.

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