The UK government has published the ETS maritime compliance guide to help shipping companies prepare for the inclusion of maritime transport in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) from 1 July.
The guidance explains which vessels and operators fall within the scope of the scheme, as well as the requirements for emissions monitoring, reporting and the surrender of allowances. It applies primarily to ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above engaged in domestic UK voyages and activities within UK ports.
Under the new rules, maritime operators that undertake a qualifying maritime activity must submit an operator-level emissions monitoring plan within 42 days of commencing that activity. The plan sets out how greenhouse gas emissions from maritime operations will be monitored and reported in accordance with the scheme’s requirements.
Complying with your UK ETS requirements
According to the guidance, to comply with your requirements under the UK ETS, you must do the following:
- Set up your maritime operator account in METS.
- Apply to your regulator for an emissions monitoring plan within 42 days of starting your first UK ETS maritime activity.
- Monitor your greenhouse gas emissions from maritime activities for each scheme year.
- Verify and report your maritime emissions by 31 March in the year following the scheme year.
- Calculate any applicable surrender deduction for inclusion in your annual emissions report.
- Surrender from your maritime operator holding account by the applicable statutory surrender deadline the number of allowances equal to your emissions figure for surrender, which is your maritime emissions figure minus any surrender deduction.
The first compliance year for maritime operators under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) will run from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, the scheme year will align with the calendar year, running from 1 January to 31 December annually.
Maritime operators will be required to acquire and surrender allowances to meet their emissions obligations, with one allowance surrendered for each tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) reported. Allowances may be surrendered at any time through a maritime operator holding account in the UK ETS Registry by an authorised representative.
The monitoring requirements cover emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) arising from maritime activities that fall within the scope of the UK ETS.