(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) The Paris Agreement adopted in 2015 sets a common goal for global GHG emissions reduction, which is to keep the increase in global average temperature to at least well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels while aiming to limit it to 1.5°C.
International shipping is no exception; the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emission from Ships in July 2023, which includes a target for total annual GHG emissions from international shipping to be net-zero by or around 2050.
On the other hand, European Union (EU) has set a goal of reducing GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to the 1990 levels, with the aim of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. In July 2021, a comprehensive climate policy package, “Fit for 55," was announced to achieve the 2030 target, including proposals of the extension of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) to the shipping sector and FuelEU Maritime to promote the decarbonization of fuels used on board ships. Subsequently, the EU-ETS extended to the shipping sector from January 2024 and the FuelEU Maritime has been introduced from January 2025.
FuelEU Maritime, an EU regulation aimed at promoting the decarbonization of fuels used on board ships, has entered into force and applies to all ships above 5,000 gross tonnage calling at EU ports from January 1, 2025.
In this “FAQs on the FuelEU Maritime (4th Edition)”, ClassNK has updated several sections reflecting the latest clarifications from EMSA’s webinar and the Guidance Document, including the following points:
- Conditions for cumulative penalty increases in cases of repeated penalties.
- Priority order of fuels in GHG intensity calculation.
(By accounting fuels in the order of increasing GHG intensity, it is possible to maximize the benefit of using low-GHG-intensity fuels.)
Lastly, at the 83rd session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) in April 2025, MEPC approved draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on the midterm
measures to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping, including regulations similar to FuelEU Maritime, such as limits on the GHG intensity of marine fuels and the introduction of the IMO Net-Zero Fund to support decarbonization. A review of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation is expected within the EU, particularly in light of concerns over potential overlaps with IMO regulations on EU-related voyages. Further consideration of both the EUETS for maritime and FuelEU Maritime is anticipated.
Download below the 4th Edition Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the EU-ETS:
Source: ClassNK
For more info on EU Emissions Trading System, click HERE
