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Insights Understand the key components of the FuelEU Maritime regulation

Understand the key components of the FuelEU Maritime regulation

EU ETS & FuelEU Maritime Sep. 12, 2025
Understand the key components of the FuelEU Maritime regulation

The FuelEU Maritime regulation is one of the key proposals in the EU’s ‘Fit For 55’ package. There are two key components of the regulation which seek to steer the sector towards decarbonisation.

GHG intensity: The regulation is designed to gradually decrease the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of fuels used by the shipping sector over time. GHG emissions included in the scope are Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4) and Nitrogen Oxide (N20). Shipping companies must calculate GHG emissions per unit of energy used on board, based on their reported fuel consumption and the emissions factors of their respective fuels.

Onshore Power Supply (OPS): Starting in 2030 for all TEN-T ports and in 2035 for a broader range of ports, passenger ships and container vessels must connect to shore power when at berth.

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Flexible mechanisms introduced for decarbonisation

Compliance with FuelEU Maritime requirements is the shipowner’s responsibility, or any other entity that has assumed responsibility for the operation of the ship from the shipowner. Ships that do not comply with GHG intensity or OPS obligations will face a financial penalty.

FuelEU Maritime Compliance Options

FuelEU Maritime offers flexibility mechanisms through which ship operators may achieve compliance:

 

  • Banking – If a ship performs better than required in a given year (for example, generating a compliance surplus by consuming more alternative fuels than required in 2025), the surplus can be carried forward to the next year (2026). This ensures good performance is rewarded and helps smooth out year-to-year fluctuations. This surplus does not expire.

 

  • Borrowing – If a ship falls short in one year (say, in 2025), it can “borrow” compliance from the following year (2026) to cover the deficit. However, that borrowed amount must then be paid back with interest when 2026 compliance is assessed.

 

  • Pooling – Any vessels under the FuelEU Maritime scope can combine their compliance balances through a pool. For example, if Ship A has a surplus and Ship B has a deficit, the two can trade compliance with each other at the pool level. This reduces compliance risk across a fleet, rather than tying each ship to its own isolated performance. Each vessel can only join one pool per year.

 

These tools are designed to support operators while keeping the system aligned with the EU’s overall decarbonisation goals.

Explore the FuelEU Maritime

The FuelEU Maritime regulation is one of the key initiatives in the EU’s ‘Fit For 55’ package.

Learn more in the explainer animation.

Watch the video online here
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FAQ FuelEU Maritime

  • What is the FuelEU Maritime regulation?

    The FuelEU Maritime regulation aims to promote the decarbonisation of fuels on board ships by setting a limit of GHG intensity of energy used on board and by making the use of onshore power supply mandatory in ports.

  • What to be aware of regarding the FuelEU Maritime?

    Shipping companies need to submit a vessel-specific monitoring plan to verifiers by August 31, 2024. As of January 1, 2025, shipping companies must monitor and record the energy usage at port and during operation for each ship as per the approved plan. Beginning 2026, emission data must be submitted to verifiers by January 31 annually.

  • How is FuelEU Maritime related to EU ETS?

    The Fuel EU Maritime Regulation is a complementary regulation to the EU ETS. The EU ETS provides a regulatory framework for emissions reduction. In parallel, FuelEU Maritime supports the transition to low-carbon and renewable fuels, aligning with the goals of the EU ETS.

  • What are the GHG intensity regulations?

    The regulation sets a limit for the annual average of GHG intensity for fuels used on board ships over 5,000 GT, arriving at or departing from ports under the jurisdiction of EU/EEA Member States.

  • Which GHG’s are covered?

    GHG’s covered are carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide. The GHG intensity of the fuel is calculated on a life cycle basis based on emission factors determined for the Well-to-Tank and Tank-to-Wake parts, respectively.

  • How do you calculate GHG intensity when using biofuel?

    Biofuels that comply with the sustainability and GHG saving criteria in the Annex II of the FuelEU Maritime regulation or the Renewable Energy Directive, can use the default values provided therein or actual values certified under a scheme recognised by the EU. (Biofuels that do not comply with these criteria or are produced from food and feed crops are considered to have the same emission factors as the least favourable fossil fuel pathway for this type of fuel.)

  • What is the FuelEU Maritime penalty?

    If the GHG intensity used on board exceeds the GHG intensity limit for the year in question, a financial penalty will be imposed on the shipping company. Noncompliance with the onshore power supply requirements also imposes a remedial penalty.

  • What happens if penalties are not paid?

    If a ship does not comply with the FuelEU Maritime regulation for two or more consecutive reporting years, the competent authority of the EU/EEA Member State at the port of call can issue an expulsion order to the shipping company. The ship is barred from entering any port in any Member State until the company meets its obligations.

  • What is the "port of call" under the FuelEU Maritime?

    In FuelEU Maritime, "Port of call" means a port for cargo, passenger embarkation, or disembarkation. Excluded are stops for refuelling, supplies, crew relief, dry-dock, repairs, distress, ship-to-ship transfers outside ports, shelter from weather, and containerships in a neighbouring transhipment port.

  • What is Banking, Borrowing, and Pooling?

    FuelEU Maritime offers flexibility through banking, borrowing, and pooling. Ships can store compliance surplus for subsequent periods or borrow from the next period to offset deficits. Pooling allows verified ships under the same verifying body to combine compliance balances for individual ship compliance.