Three weeks until the maritime UK ETS kicks in
Compliance responsibility rests with the ship operator by default, though it may be delegated to the ISM company under a legally binding agreement.
IMAGE: A container port on the southeast coast of the UK. Getty Images
Based on DNV's guidance, the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) will extend to the maritime sector from 1 July, applying to cargo and passenger vessels of 5,000 GT and above that operate on domestic UK voyages.
The rollout follows a structured compliance timeline. Among the first obligations is the submission of an Emissions Monitoring Plan (EMP) to the regulator for approval.
The EMP will cover all vessels under the operator's responsibility and outline the monitoring methodology, list of vessels, emission sources and calculation methods — submitted at company level.
While the EMP does not undergo formal assessment by a verifier, approval by the regulator is required.
Operators must appoint an independent verifier accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), such as a classification society, to verify their Annual Emissions Report (AER).
The AER must be submitted by 31 March each year, with allowances surrendered by 30 April. But for the inaugural scheme year covering only 1 July to 31 December 2026, the surrender deadline is 30 April 2028.
Offshore vessels receive a delayed entry, coming under the scheme from 1 January 2027.
Coverage includes emissions from domestic port-to-port voyages, port calls, and time at berth. The greenhouse gases in scope are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), calculated on a tank-to-wake basis and aligned with EU ETS methodology.
Exemptions apply to government non-commercial vessels, fishing vessels, and Scottish ferry services. International voyages fall outside the scope. Voyages between Northern Ireland and Great Britain carry a 50% surrender obligation, while port stays in both locations are subject to a 100% surrender obligation.
Unlike the EU ETS, the UK ETS requires no physical Document of Compliance, and all processes are managed digitally through the METS (Manage your Emissions Trading Scheme) platform.
By Gautamee Hazarika
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