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EmissionLink highlights smaller ship operators struggle with FuelEU compliance

Industry leaders are rapidly positioning themselves to thrive under the new rules, while smaller companies risk falling behind, facing steep penalties and potential loss of market share, says firm.

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EmissionLink, a member of Columbia Group, on Friday (30 August) said industry leaders are rapidly positioning themselves to thrive under the upcoming FuelEU Maritime Regulation, while smaller companies risk falling behind, facing steep penalties and potential loss of market share.

This warning comes ahead of the 31 August deadline for shipping companies to prepare and submit their FuelEU Maritime Monitoring Plans.

EmissionLink said there are concerns that while industry leaders are investing in low-carbon technologies, optimising their operations, and ensuring compliance strategies are in place, some companies, particularly smaller operators, are clinging to outdated practices and also face limited resources, lacking the expertise and financial capability to understand the compliance and submit their plans.

“A significant number of shipowners and operators have yet to submit their FuelEU Monitoring Plans, citing complexity of the compliance and the lack of clear guidance and inconsistent support from regulators about the correct steps to take,” warned Philippos Ioulianou, Columbia Group Director of Energy and Renewables.

“Although there is some leeway to do this by the start of next year, we expect there to be a huge rush later in the year, so the earlier companies get their plans submitted and verified, the better.”

Columbia Group is an active member of ship management trade association InterManager, and, on behalf of its members, InterManager has taken part in extensive discussion with the EU in relation to FuelEU and EU-ETS.

InterManager members have stressed to the EU the need for it to employ a ‘polluter pays’ approach to environmental legislation. The association points out that, in effect, ship managers are the facility managers and not the factory owners.

Ship managers are not responsible for decisions in relation to the origin of the fuel, its supply, or procurement decisions, or the technical specification of the ships they manage, Columbia says.

However, they are responsible for checking that the fuel delivered to the vessels conforms to the specifications ordered by owners or charterers and are also responsible for ensuring the fuel is handled properly onboard the vessel and, where different qualities are on the vessel, for ensuring the right fuel is burned at the right times. This is in line with the obligations placed on ship managers under the ISM Code.

Ship managers are therefore also concerned that the proposed FuelEU legislation makes them the responsible party and have warned that, as the ruleset currently stands, there is a high risk of litigation once the scheme is implemented.

To help ship owners and operators navigate the challenges posed by the new FuelEU Maritime Regulation, EmissionLink was launched by Columbia Group as a one-stop shop platform using AI to streamline processes and ensure compliance with the evolving regulatory landscape including FuelEU requirements and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

The platform offers transparency in managing the fuel life cycle and helps companies collect, clean, analyse, and forecast emissions data so clients can create long-term green strategies and reduce their emissions.

The FuelEU Maritime Regulation, a key component of the EU’s “Fit for 55” package, is set to reshape the shipping industry by enforcing strict greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity reductions. Starting in January 2025, all ships of 5,000 gross tonnage (GT) and above will be required to significantly lower their GHG emissions, with incremental targets leading to an 80% reduction by 2050.

The regulation requires companies to submit detailed Monitoring Plans that outline how they will measure and report their GHG intensity. This includes tracking 100% of energy used on voyages between EU ports and 50% on voyages between EU and non-EU ports. Failure to comply by the deadline could result in severe financial penalties and operational setbacks, putting lagging companies at a significant disadvantage.

“The FuelEU Maritime Regulation creates new challenges that require foresight and agility and shipowners must be ready to steer through the challenges ahead,” said Mr Ioulianou. “Non-compliance isn’t just a financial risk—it’s a strategic risk. As the industry moves toward greener practices, those who lag behind will find it harder to compete, not just in terms of meeting regulations, but in maintaining market share.”

 

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 2 September, 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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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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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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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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