Maritime Steps into the Climate Leadership Arena
The shipping industry is entering an era of transformation shaped by climate accountability. With maritime transport accounting for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, policy instruments are reshaping operational expectations.
The FuelEU Maritime regulation, adopted under the European Union’s Fit for 55 climate package, comes into effect on 1 January 2025. It establishes a lifecycle-based approach to reducing emissions from fuels used on ships, encompassing both technical and operational dimensions.
Structured to promote sustainability while allowing for operational flexibility, the regulation sets a precedent that is expected to influence similar frameworks internationally.
The Regulation: A Structured Approach to Emissions Reduction
FuelEU Maritime focuses on three interlinked provisions that together form the basis for a long-term decarbonization shift:
1. Limiting Lifecycle GHG Intensity
From 2025, ships over 5,000 gross tonnage operating in or out of EU and EEA ports must comply with limits on the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of fuels used, measured in grams of CO₂ equivalent per megajoule.
This GHG intensity benchmark will become increasingly stringent every five years. The mechanism allows for:
- Banking surplus compliance for future years
- Borrowing from expected future compliance, with limits
- Pooling performance across fleets to manage deficits
This combination encourages companies to treat emissions strategically across their entire fleet rather than at the individual vessel level.
2. On-Shore Power Supply Requirements
Starting 2030, passenger ships and containerships must connect to on-shore power supply (OPS) while docked at specified EU ports. This provision aims to minimize emissions in port communities and reflects the growing demand for electrified support infrastructure in maritime logistics.
Exemptions exist for short stays or for vessels equipped with certified zero-emission technologies. Compliance is verified and enforced via calculated penalties tied to power demand and mooring hours.
3. RFNBO Adoption Trigger
If renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) do not reach a 1% share of maritime fuel usage by 2031, each ship will be required to use RFNBOs for at least 2% of its total onboard energy by 2034.
This conditional trigger is built to prompt innovation in e-fuel supply chains, supporting future-ready alternatives such as green ammonia and e-methanol.
Implementation Milestones and Compliance Protocols
To support this regulatory rollout, shipping companies must follow a phased timeline:
- By August 2024: Submit a FuelEU Monitoring Plan through the THETIS-MRV system
- From January 2025: Begin collecting monitoring data
- By January 2026 and annually thereafter: Submit verified FuelEU Reports
- By June each year: Finalize penalty payments (if any) or receive a FuelEU Document of Compliance
This structured compliance cycle places equal emphasis on transparency, planning, and accountability—elements that are increasingly critical in sustainability governance.
Technology as an Enabler of Compliance Confidence
One of the more strategic aspects of the regulation is its reliance on accurate data and digital verification. Tools such as the ClassNK MRV Portal and ClassNK ZETA platform have emerged to assist in GHG tracking, compliance simulation, and scenario analysis.
Notably, ships equipped with verified wind-assisted propulsion systems can apply a reward factor that reduces their annual GHG intensity by up to 5%. This provision is available regardless of actual system use, subtly incentivizing design innovation without mandating it.
Such options point to a quiet shift in maritime engineering—where energy optimization technologies are becoming a built-in part of performance strategy.
Global Implications and Policy Alignment
FuelEU Maritime is also part of a wider movement. The IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) has proposed similar global measures, including lifecycle-based GHG limits and a Net-Zero Fund to finance decarbonization across the sector.
While overlaps between EU and IMO policies are under discussion, the underlying trajectory is converging. Ships that demonstrate early compliance readiness today may find themselves better aligned with future international mandates.
This reinforces the value of early adaptation—not just for compliance, but for positioning within a global logistics network increasingly shaped by climate regulation.
Conclusion:
FuelEU Maritime offers more than rules—it outlines a path where operational choices are shaped by emission performance, where fleet-level thinking is prioritized, and where flexibility is built without compromising ambition.
The regulation does not demand a radical overhaul but invites a strategic rethinking of fuel procurement, emissions accounting, and energy technology integration.
It is a moment for professionals in the maritime and transport sectors to recalibrate expectations and reinforce their role in climate transition. Those who prepare thoroughly today will be those best placed to thrive in the decarbonized logistics corridors of tomorrow.
Be part of the global conversation on decarbonising flight.
Aviation Carbon 2025 registration is open – reserve your spot now.
Download Document File Here: FAQs on the FuelEU Maritime (4th Edition)