Carbon costs are not just a line item. If you show the math clearly in your offer, you turn ETS into a reason to pick your vessel. Give brokers clean numbers, two pricing options, and a proof pack that accounts can book without questions.
For EU ETS in shipping, account 100 percent of emissions on voyages between EU or EEA ports. Account 50 percent for legs that start or end outside the EU or EEA. Port emissions at EU calls count as well. The ETS covers CO₂ now and will add methane and nitrous oxide from 2026. The system phases in by surrender level: 40 percent of 2024 emissions were due in 2025, 70 percent of 2025 emissions are due in 2026, and 100 percent applies from 2026 emissions onward. Source: European Commission climate FAQ.
Key compliance dates worth putting on your fleet calendar
- By 31 March each year submit verified company-level emissions to the administering authority. DNV guidance.
- By 30 September surrender the required EUAs for the previous relevant year’s verified emissions. Industry compliance notes and trade press.
Bid sheets work when buyers can compare like for like. Create a single ETS line that shows emissions in scope, the phase-in factor, and the EUA price you used. Offer two flavors.
| Approach | When to use | How it looks on the sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed EUA basis | Short validity or when you can hedge quickly | ETS cost = In-scope tCO₂ × Phase-in × Fixed EUA price |
| Floating EUA basis | Longer validity or index-linked deals | ETS cost = In-scope tCO₂ × Phase-in × EUA index on lift day |
Make the same choice for all bidders on a lane to keep comparisons fair.
You can back-solve tCO₂ from bunkers consumed or derive it from a speed–consumption model. The fast method for chartering is fuel-based with a well-known factor.
| Method | Formula | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel-based | tCO₂ = Fuel tons × 3.114 | 3.114 is a standard CO₂ factor per ton of fuel. Adjust if you use LNG or bio blends with different factors. |
| Model-based | tCO₂ = Days × t/day × 3.114 | Use your real t/day at service speed and displacement. Keep the same basis for all bids. |
Apply route scope next: 100 percent for intra-EU legs and port stays, 50 percent for extra-EU legs touching the EU.
Fill in distance, speed, consumption, scope split, and EUA price. The tool outputs ETS cost and adds it to the voyage total so principals can compare apples to apples.
| Component | Value |
|---|---|
| Sea days | — |
| Fuel tons (sea) | — |
| Gross tCO₂ (sea) | — |
| Scope share | — |
| Phase-in | — |
| In-scope tCO₂ × Phase-in | — |
Run the numbers to generate a bid-sheet line and a short rationale you can paste into emails.
Put a one-liner in every recap that fixes definitions and stops disputes later. Here is a safe default that works for either fixed or floating EUA basis.
Copy-paste recap clause (short form)
“ETS cost included on the basis of in-scope emissions per EU rules (100% intra-EU, 50% extra-EU, EU port at berth included). Phase-in factor per year. CO₂ factor 3.114 tCO₂/t fuel unless alternative fuel used. EUA price: [fixed US$ XX/tCO₂] or [floating at ICE EUA settlement on lift day]. Variances to be settled against verified MRV data at voyage close.”
Keep the same wording across your lanes so teams can compare more quickly.
FuelEU Maritime applies from 2025 and pushes the GHG intensity of energy used on ships downward over time. From 2030, container and passenger ships must use on-shore power supply or an equivalent zero-emission solution when at berth in covered EU ports, with wider application by 2035. Use this in bids: if your vessel can reliably connect or use a zero-emission alternative at berth, say so and list the benefit. Sources: European Commission and EMSA summaries; OPS obligations noted in Commission material and class/industry guidance.
| FuelEU lever | What to claim | Proof |
|---|---|---|
| OPS readiness | “OPS capable at covered ports from 2030” | Recent connection records or shipyard docs |
| Lower GHG intensity fuel | “Using drop-in bio blend on this lane” | Bunker BDNs and well-to-wake factors |
| Energy-saving tech | “XX% saving at service speed” | Trials, noon data, independent report |
This table lets brokers or cargo owners compare two ships quickly with ETS visible and defensible.
| Item | Vessel A | Vessel B |
|---|---|---|
| Speed × t/day basis | 13.5 kn × 28 t/d | 14.0 kn × 30 t/d |
| Scope and phase-in | 100% × 70% | 50% × 70% |
| In-scope tCO₂ | Calculated from fuel | Calculated from model |
| EUA price basis | Fixed US$ 75/tCO₂ | Floating ICE settlement |
| ETS cost included | Shown as a line | Shown as a line |
| FuelEU advantages | OPS ready | Bio-blend available |
Replace the placeholders with your real bases to generate a shareable one-pager.
Put ETS in the bid sheet where it belongs. Scope it correctly, use one clear price basis, and show the math. Add FuelEU advantages when you have them. The more transparent you are, the faster counterparties decide and the more often your vessel wins on total delivered value.
Source notes for your team
- EU ETS maritime scope, phase-in and gases: European Commission climate FAQ on maritime ETS.
- Company-level submission by 31 March: DNV compliance explainer.
- First surrender deadline on 30 September 2025 and ongoing cycle: industry summaries and trade press.
- FuelEU Maritime in force from 2025 and OPS use from 2030 for container and passenger ships, with broader application by 2035: European Commission and EMSA resources plus class/industry explainers.
