The European Commission has introduced Regulation (EU) 2023/2599, which establishes rules for the administration of shipping companies under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). This regulation is a key step in integrating maritime transport emissions into the EU ETS, ensuring compliance and uniform enforcement across Member States.
Assigning Responsibility for Emissions Compliance
A major provision of the regulation is the clarification of responsibility for EU ETS obligations. Unlike traditional maritime law, where the shipowner holds primary responsibility, this regulation allows shipping companies to contractually assign ETS compliance duties to another entity, such as the vessel manager or charterer.
Harmonized Administration Across Member States
To ensure consistency, Member States will administer shipping companies based on predefined criteria, such as the company’s registration or port call frequency in the EU. Thetis MRV and SafeSeaNet, two key maritime data systems, will be used to track and allocate responsibility.
Conclusion
This regulation strengthens the EU’s decarbonization efforts in the maritime sector, creating clear accountability and streamlined administration for shipping emissions under the EU ETS.
Download Document PDFs Here: COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2023/2599 of 22 November 2023