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CarbonLeap: Supporting shipping’s forgotten majority in FuelEU Maritime compliance

Pooling mechanism would be beneficial for small and medium-sized shipowners who face a race against time and need valuable breathing space for FuelEU Maritime compliance, says Guido Levie.
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CarbonLeap: Supporting shipping’s forgotten majority in FuelEU Maritime compliance

As FuelEU Maritime ramps up from theory to required action, shipping is looking for compliance solutions. Yet, a clear divide is emerging, splitting large shipowners and the forgotten majority. Guido Levie, co-founder at CarbonLeap, argues that there must be support for this vital core or risk facing unintended consequences:

FuelEU Maritime is an example of shipping decarbonisation becoming a reality. Simply put, in 2025, vessels sailing between, to, or from EU ports will be scrutinised for the energy they use. Already, moves are being made to secure decarbonising solutions, and costs are being passed onto customers.

However, a clear divide is emerging due to shipping decarbonisation. It will be manageable for the household names to cushion the blow. Yet, with over 61,000 ships on the water today and an average of 2-3 per vessel owner, small and medium-sized shipowners face an unenviable decision to commit to immature, unproven, or expensive decarbonisation pathways. 

Today, small and medium-sized shipowners face a race against time and need valuable breathing space for FuelEU Maritime compliance. So, how can we support this silent majority of shipping?

Challenges ahead 

Medium and smaller shipowners are behind the curve in terms of decarbonisation. Even quick wins, such as testing on FAME, have yet to be considered due to lack of availability, cost, or healthy scepticism regarding grandiose claims. 

But there’s a promise of solutions for shipping, including energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuels. Yet, as seen with Maersk’s charting vessels that can run on LNG as a marine fuel, nothing should be off the table when regulatory compliance is necessary.

While 2050 may seem a long time away, FuelEU Maritime forces us to think closer to home to the 2030 ramp-up of the 6% well-to-wake GHG intensity target. As a result, medium and smaller shipowners must look at securing solutions that enable them to hit this 2030 target at the top of the agenda. 

But, securing these solutions is only part of the problem. FuelEU Maritime, like all compliance, comes with baggage. Regulatory compliance requires smaller to medium-sized companies to develop the back office. However, it’s cumbersome, and the reporting is incredibly challenging which is difficult for the smaller teams. 

Meanwhile, in some segments, such as liner and ferry, consumer-facing brands are eager to go further than the mandatories. With the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), there’s a focus on scope three. Therefore, these brands face a choice: either invest in cleaner shipping or find a vessel operator with the scale and lower carbon footprint.

And the consequences are significant. There’s a real risk that small to medium operators could be pushed out of operating in Europe. And this will expose shipping, particularly in Europe, to a lack of competition. The larger companies have a huge machine – they are using this to attract clients and can pass costs onto them. 

Therefore, if smaller owners don’t act quickly, they will be at a serious commercial disadvantage. We cannot let those in the industry who want to see this as a money-maker win out. This is opposed to cost centres, which means fewer costs are passed onto the consumer or cargo owners. 

The need to pool

Small to medium-sized shipowners need valuable breathing space before making business-critical decisions to meet FuelEU Maritime compliance targets. As a result, it makes sense for them to pool today, where pool participants will benefit from the surplus compliance of the pool lead to ensure FuelEU Maritime compliance at the lowest cost.

If you have a small fleet, you have to be right. Larger fleets have the flexibility to trial new orders on certain fuels, but small fleets don’t. And, it’s a difficult decision, and that’s why the pooling mechanism buys you time. This is vital for certain segments, including tramp shippers, who may face difficulties bunkering compliant fuels at the ports they visit; there are close to zero biomolecules available, especially on some routes beyond the high profile green corridors.

But, in our conversations with larger shipowners, there seems to be a willingness to help support medium to smaller shipowners with reasonable costs. And we, at CarbonLeap, have the relationships with originators that have the feedstock, and they have the ambition to supply shipowners. 

Leaving it until close to the compliance date in early 2026 to join a pool could leave owners facing significant financial penalties. Having pooling contracts in place before the FuelEU monitoring period starts in 2025 will enable owners to better plan to pass on more reasonable costs to their customers and minimise compliance costs.

Failure to comply with FuelEU Maritime could create serious budget difficulties for the business of fleet owners, who could face hefty fines. How can we decarbonise when facing regulatory compliance and high fines? If you want to get a price for cargo owners, you want to get a price that includes FuelEU Maritime.

Next steps

FuelEU Maritime is the carrot and stick for shipping to decarbonise. Yet, many small- to medium-sized shipowners trading within or in Europe face serious commercial impacts due to non-compliance and are still assessing options. But, decarbonisation is not easy. Today, these owners need to buy themselves time before making that commitment, and the pooling mechanism will do just that.

 

Photo credit: CarbonLeap
Published: 1 November, 2024

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FuelEU

Marine Fuels Alliance partners with TidalIQ on website emissions calculator

Emissions calculator helps users estimate vessel or fleet compliance positions, potential penalty exposure, pooling requirements and the indicative value of surplus compliance
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2 weeks ago

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July 6, 2026

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Marine Fuels Alliance partners with TidalIQ on website emissions calculator

Marine Fuels Alliance (MFA) on Friday (3 July) said it has connected with TidalIQ, which has provided an emissions calculator for its website.

MFA said the FuelEU Maritime has turned vessel emissions performance into a commercial issue. Operators now need to understand whether their fleet is in surplus or deficit, what that means financially, and whether pooling can reduce cost or create value.

“The emissions calculator helps users estimate vessel or fleet compliance positions, potential penalty exposure, pooling requirements and the indicative value of surplus compliance,” the alliance said in a social media post.

From there, the TidalIQ platform helps users move from calculation to action: managing fleet compliance, identifying pooling opportunities, generating standardised documentation and maintaining a clear audit trail for verifiers and internal records.

“For operators facing deficits, TidalIQ helps identify a more cost-effective route to compliance. For operators with surplus, it creates a clearer path to monetising better-performing vessels,” it added.

“FuelEU compliance is no longer just a regulatory task. It is a commercial decision – and TidalIQ helps the market make that decision confidently.” 

Note: The emissions calculator can be found here. 

 

Photo credit: Marine Fuels Alliance
Published: 6 July, 2026

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Port & Regulatory

EmissionLink calls for clarity as EU moves to prevent double carbon charges

The emissions management firm welcomed EC’s commitment to avoid duplicate emissions charges but says shipping urgently needs practical guidance on how EU and IMO carbon regimes will work together.
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3 weeks ago

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June 30, 2026

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Philippos Ioulianou, EmissionLink

The following is a commentary by Philippos Ioulianou, Managing Director of EmissionLink, on how the maritime sector needs clear guidance on how how EU and IMO regulations will be reconciled to avoid duplicate carbon costs for shipowners:

The European Commission’s commitment to prevent shipping companies from being charged twice for the same emissions is a welcome step, but the maritime sector now needs clear guidance on how this will work in practice, according to integrated emissions management service EmissionLink.

The principle of avoiding double charging is clear, but the practical reality is far more complex. Shipping is already navigating a crowded regulatory landscape. EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime are now in force, while the IMO is moving towards its own global Net-Zero Framework. Each system has a different scope, timeline, calculation method and commercial logic. Without detailed guidance, avoiding duplicate carbon costs will not be straightforward.

A vessel trading into Europe may be exposed to EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and future IMO carbon rules. However, the obligations will not always sit with the same party, emissions data may not always be calculated in the same way, and costs may not be recoverable under existing charterparty terms. 

According to EmissionLink, the risk for shipowners is not only paying twice for the same emissions. It also includes reporting twice, calculating twice and building parallel compliance processes that increase cost, complexity and confusion.

“The industry needs to know how EU and IMO obligations will be reconciled, how equivalent payments will be recognised, and what evidence shipowners will need to prove that the same tonne of emissions has not been penalised more than once,” said Philippos Ioulianou, Managing Director of EmissionLink. “This will determine whether carbon regulation is seen as a fair transition tool or simply another cost burden.”

Accurate and auditable emissions data will be more important than ever, but data alone is not enough. Owners and operators also need the expertise to interpret that data across different regulatory schemes and make informed commercial decisions. EmissionLink has already supported the delivery of accurate FuelEU emissions data for more than 600 vessels, giving it first-hand insight into the complexity of compliance across different vessel types and operating profiles.

“Every vessel has a different operating profile, every voyage has a regulatory consequence, and every compliance decision can affect cost exposure, penalties, pooling options, charterparty recovery and future planning,” said Mr Ioulianou. “The challenge is no longer simply submitting the right figure into the right system. It is understanding how current and future emissions schemes interact, how they affect the business, and how to avoid double penalties, duplicated processes and unnecessary costs.”

The company also highlights that carbon pricing will only retain credibility if revenues are clearly directed back into maritime decarbonisation. Speaking at a ShipEnergy forum during Posidonia, Mr Ioulianou argued that EU member states must set out a clear pathway for the use of revenues generated through EU ETS and FuelEU-related mechanisms.

“These funds should be directed back into the maritime sector,” he said. “They should not become a general revenue stream for governments. Demanding that shipping pays more while failing to invest in the infrastructure needed to make decarbonisation possible is not a transition strategy. It is taxation with a green label.”

Whilst the European Commission is right to recognise the risk of duplicate carbon costs, the industry now needs practical, transparent and enforceable rules that support compliance while helping shipping transition to lower-carbon operations.

“Shipping cannot decarbonise on promises alone,” said Mr Ioulianou. “The sector needs clarity, consistency and confidence that regulation will support the transition rather than simply adding cost and complexity.”

 

Photo credit: EmissionLink
Published: 30 June, 2026

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FuelEU

Hafnia Pools surpasses 170 vessels, achieves FuelEU Maritime compliance

In announcing the company’s Q1 2026 financial results, it said five vessels joined Hafnia Pools during the first quarter of the year, bringing the total number of Pool Partners to 24 across segments.
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4 weeks ago

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June 26, 2026

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Hafnia Pools surpasses 170 vessels, achieves FuelEU Maritime compliance

Singapore-headquartered tanker operator Hafnia on Wednesday (24 June) the company closed Q1 2026 with more than 170 vessels trading across its pool platform.

In announcing the company’s Q1 2026 financial results, it said five vessels joined Hafnia Pools during the first quarter of the year, bringing the total number of Pool Partners to 24 across segments.

Since November 2025, vessels entering the Pools have had an average age of six years or younger, further strengthening the competitiveness and earnings capability of the platform. 

This continued inflow of modern tonnage supports Hafnia’s focus on maintaining an efficient and attractive fleet profile, while enhancing the long-term value proposition for Pool Partners.

In Hafnia’s MR Pool, six owners now each have three or more vessels committed.

During Q1 2026, Hafnia Pools successfully met the EU’s FuelEU Maritime requirements for 2025. Across the Pool, 108 vessels collectively exceeded the emissions limits; however, by working together under a “pooling” system, this was balanced out. By using cleaner vessels, biofuel, and purchased emissions credits, the Pools avoided penalties and achieved meaningful cost savings for partners.

This outcome reflects strong collaboration across Hafnia’s commercial, operational, and compliance teams, as well as constructive engagement with all Document of Compliance holders as regulations such as FuelEU come into full force.

In June 2026, Hafnia Pools further strengthened Partner engagement and alignment through its bi-annual Pool Board meeting, taking place during Posidonia in Greece.

Peter Kolding, VP Chartering Regional Trades & Pool Management, said: “As we move further into 2026, our focus remains on delivering consistent commercial results, strengthening the value proposition for all Pool Partners, and continuing to build on the close cooperation between our Chartering and Operations teams that underpins the success of the Hafnia Pools.

“I am encouraged to see that our commercial performance and efforts in staying close to our partners are paying off as we enjoy growing support from many of those same partners. It indicates that we are on the right path and energizes us to continue doing everything we can to improve even further.”

 

Photo credit: Hafnia
Published: 26 June, 2026

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