The FuelEU Maritime Regulation, effective from 1 January 2025, is set to revolutionise the EU’s maritime sector by mandating the adoption of renewable and low-carbon fuels. This landmark move aims to drastically reduce carbon emissions and air pollution while accelerating the transition to sustainable transport. With progressive targets and innovative compliance mechanisms, the Regulation offers significant opportunities for stakeholders to lead the green transition.
The Regulation applies to all ships exceeding 5,000 gross tonnage entering EU ports, regardless of flag. These vessels must progressively reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of onboard energy, starting with a modest 2% reduction in 2025, scaling up to an ambitious 80% by 2050 compared to 2020 levels. Crucially, the rules provide flexibility, allowing operators to select the technologies and fuels that best suit their operations. A pooling mechanism further incentivises compliance, enabling collaborative strategies across fleets and rewarding early adoption of sustainable solutions.
From 2030, passenger and container ships will face zero-emission requirements at berth, compelling the use of onshore power supply (OPS) or equivalent zero-emission technologies in EU ports governed by the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation. By 2035, this mandate will extend to all EU ports equipped with OPS facilities, further curbing emissions and fostering cleaner port operations.
The Regulation also introduces stringent monitoring and reporting obligations. From January 2025, companies must track energy use during EU-related voyages and submit FuelEU Reports by January 2026 to verify compliance with greenhouse gas intensity reduction targets.
This ambitious regulatory framework complements broader EU initiatives aimed at decarbonising transport and achieving a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Key measures include the extension of the EU Emission Trading System to shipping and the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation. Collaboration with Member States and the International Maritime Organization underscores a global approach to maritime decarbonisation.
To bolster the shift towards renewable and low-carbon fuels, the EU has allocated significant funding and support. This includes €20 million from the EU Innovation Fund for maritime projects and €530 million under Horizon Europe for research and innovation through the Zero Emission Waterborne Transport Partnership. Additionally, the Renewable and Low-Carbon Fuels Industrial Alliance (RLCF) drives industry advancements in clean fuel production and distribution.
The FuelEU Maritime Regulation represents a transformative step towards a sustainable maritime sector, fostering innovation and long-term environmental benefits.
Quadrise plc (LON:QED) is an energy technology provider whose solutions enable production of cheaper, cleaner, simpler and safer alternatives to fuel oil and biofuels, proven in real world applications. Quadrise technologies produce transition fuels called MSAR® and bioMSAR™, which allow clients in the shipping, utilities and industrial sectors to reduce carbon emissions whilst also saving costs.
