As part of the UK Government’s expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS), the maritime sector has been included in the scheme from 1 July 2026. Commercial ships of 5,000 gross tonnage (GT) and above calling at UK ports are required to monitor, report, verify, and surrender United Kingdom Allowances (UKAs) for their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The scheme applies regardless of a vessel’s flag state and covers Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), and Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) emissions.
Following the revocation of the UK MRV Regulations on 3 April 2026, maritime emissions are regulated under the UK ETS. Normec Verifavia provides independent UK ETS verification services, supporting shipowners, ship managers, and maritime operators in meeting UK ETS monitoring, reporting, verification, and compliance requirements.
Note: Normec Verifavia is already accredited to provide verification services under the UK MRV regime. The extension of our accreditation to include UK ETS verification is currently in progress. Operators may already submit their emissions data and supporting documentation to facilitate a timely verification process once the UK ETS accreditation has been granted.
Note: Normec Verifavia is already accredited to provide verification services under the UK MRV regime. An extension of its accreditation to cover UK ETS verification is currently in progress and awaiting formal approval. In the meantime, operators may submit their emissions data and supporting documentation, enabling verification activities to begin promptly once the UK ETS accreditation has been granted.
The UK ETS applies to commercial cargo and passenger ships of 5,000 gross tonnage (GT) and above calling at UK ports, regardless of flag state. The scheme covers greenhouse gas emissions generated during qualifying voyages and port calls.
The UK ETS currently applies to:
Greenhouse gas emissions are calculated on a tank-to-wake basis, with methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) converted to carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) using IPCC AR5 Global Warming Potential values.
The UK ETS determines emissions liability according to the voyage profile and location of port calls.
The reduced surrender obligation for voyages between Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been introduced to minimise carbon pricing disparities and avoid unintended changes to vessel routing.
The UK ETS provides exemptions for selected vessel types and operations. These include:
The current 5,000 GT threshold and exemption framework will be reviewed in 2028, including consideration of lowering the threshold to 400 GT.
UK ETS compliance is managed at company level and covers all ships under an operator’s responsibility that fall within the scope of the scheme.
Operators must establish a company-level Emissions Monitoring Plan (EMP) covering all in-scope vessels and continuously monitor emissions throughout the reporting period.
At the end of each reporting year, operators must compile a company-level Annual Emissions Report (AER), which must be independently verified by a UKAS-accredited verifier before submission through the Manage the Emissions Trading Scheme (METS) platform.
The Registered Owner remains legally responsible for compliance but may formally delegate these responsibilities to the vessel’s ISM Company or Document of Compliance (DOC) holder through a signed mandate.
The maritime UK ETS follows a phased implementation schedule.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Until 30 June 2026 | Voluntary onboarding period for account registration and Emissions Monitoring Plan (EMP) submission |
| 1 July 2026 | Maritime UK ETS enters into force |
| 31 March 2027 | Deadline for the first verified Annual Emissions Report (AER) covering the 2026 reporting period |
| 30 April 2028 | First UK Allowance (UKA) surrender deadline covering both the 2026 partial reporting period and the full 2027 reporting year |
The UK ETS is administered through two digital platforms.
Unlike some international compliance regimes, the UK ETS does not issue a physical Document of Compliance (DoC). Compliance is managed entirely through digital systems.
Failure to comply with UK ETS obligations may result in significant financial and regulatory consequences.
The UK Government does not prescribe how carbon costs should be allocated between shipowners and charterers.
Operators should ensure charter party agreements clearly define responsibilities for:
Industry-standard contractual clauses, including those published by BIMCO, can assist in allocating UK ETS responsibilities and carbon costs between commercial parties.
Prepare and submit a company-level Emissions Monitoring Plan (EMP) through the METS platform to the assigned UK regulator for approval.
Monitor and record emissions from all in-scope vessels throughout the reporting period in accordance with the approved EMP.
Compile a company-level Annual Emissions Report (AER) containing emissions data for all vessels covered under the UK ETS.
The Annual Emissions Report is independently verified by a UKAS-accredited verifier to confirm compliance with UK ETS monitoring and reporting requirements.
Submit the verified AER through METS and surrender the required United Kingdom Allowances (UKAs) through the UK Emissions Registry to fulfil annual UK ETS compliance obligations.
The UK ETS applies from 1 July 2026 to commercial cargo and passenger ships of 5,000 GT and above calling at UK ports, regardless of flag state. Offshore vessels of 5,000 GT and above are included from 1 January 2027. Operators should begin monitoring emissions from the applicable start date and ensure all reporting and compliance requirements are met.
The UK ETS covers CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O emissions on a tank-to-wake basis. The percentage of emissions subject to the scheme depends on the voyage:
The Registered Owner is legally responsible for complying with the UK ETS. However, these responsibilities may be formally delegated to the vessel’s ISM Company or DOC holder through a signed mandate or legally binding agreement. Operators should ensure responsibilities for monitoring, reporting, allowance surrender and carbon cost allocation are clearly documented.
Operators must:
For the first reporting period (1 July–31 December 2026), the verified AER is due by 31 March 2027, while the first UKA surrender deadline is 30 April 2028.
Failure to surrender sufficient UK Allowances (UKAs) may result in a civil penalty of £100 per tonne of CO₂e not covered by allowances. Paying the penalty does not remove the original compliance obligation—operators must still purchase and surrender the outstanding UKAs. Continued non-compliance may also lead to regulatory enforcement and reputational risks.
