Argus Media publishes FAQ on EU ETS inclusion of marine shipping

Argus Media recently published a frequently asked questions document on the EU including GHG emissions from marine shipping in its Emissions Trading System (ETS). It also addresses if shipowners have to pay for CO2 allowances for emissions from bio bunker fuels starting in 2024:

The EU will include greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from marine shipping in its Emissions Trading System (ETS) starting on 1 January 2024. From 2024, ship owners and charterers travelling in, out and within EU territorial waters will pay for 40pc of their GHG emissions by buying GHG credits sold on the ETS. In 2025, the emissions limit will increase to 70pc. The cap jumps to 100pc in 2026.

EU ETS applies to what types of vessels?

• From 2024: cargo and passenger ships 5,000 gross tonnes (GT) or larger
• From 2027: offshore ships 5,000 GT or larger

By 2026 the European Commission will review whether general cargo and offshore ships from 400-5,000 GT will also be included in the ETS.

What type of GHG emissions does EU ETS include?

The regulation includes carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. CH4 and N2O emissions are calculated as CO2-equivalents (CO2e) using a Global Warming Potential of 100 years (GWP100), where one tonne (t) of CH4 equals 28t CO2e and 1t of N2O equals 265t CO2e. EU ETS will apply to

• CO2 emissions from 2024
• CH4 and N2O emissions from 2026

What is the geographical scope of the new regulation?

EU ETS accounts 100pc of emissions that occur when ships are within EU and European Economic Area (EEA) waters. EEA includes Iceland and Norway (which are not members of EU). EU ETS also accounts for 50pc of emissions from voyages starting or ending outside of the EU and EEA. Separately, container ships stopping in transshipment ports outside the EU and EEA but less than 300 nautical miles from an EU and EEA port, must include 50pc of the emissions for the voyage to/from the transshipment port as well.

Will companies have to surrender allowances for emissions from biofuels?

Currently, emissions resulting from the combustion of sustainable biomass compliant with the sustainability criteria established by Annex IX part A of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED) have an emission factor of zero under the ETS.

How does EU ETS work?

One EU ETS allowance (EUA) gives the ship operator the right to emit 1t of CO2e. These are the same GHG allowances already used by EU industry, power sector and aircraft operators. Vessel operators are not allowed to generate more greenhouse gas emissions than their allowances can cover. For instance, if a company emits 10,000t of CO2 during a reporting year, that company needs to buy and surrender 10,000 allowances by 30 September of the following year.

EUAs are auctioned. They can be purchased in the primary market through auctions on the European Energy Exchange (EEX). There is also a secondary market in which allowances can be sold bilaterally or through various derivatives provided by financial institutions. To purchase ETS allowances, companies need to open a trading account or a maritime operator holding account in the EU Union Registry. Shipping companies can already open trading accounts to start buying allowances. Allowances do not expire and may be banked for future years.

Note: The full FAQ on EU ETS inclusion of marine shipping can be found here.

Photo credit: Argus Media
Published: 16 November, 2023