ports

Shipping Industry Warned to Act Now on UK Emissions Trading Scheme Launch

Maritime operators must begin preparing immediately for the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, which takes effect in July. The scheme will cover domestic UK voyages, emissions at berth in UK ports, and port movements for vessels exceeding 5,000 gross tons. International voyages to and from the UK remain excluded, pending a government review in 2028. While the regulatory framework mirrors the EU ETS to minimize complexity, compliance requirements create substantial challenges for shipowners and charterers. Even operators making occasional UK port calls must establish monitoring, reporting and verification arrangements and maintain a UK registry account. Industry strategists warned that companies pursuing simple compliance strategies risk escalating costs. The administrative burden extends to all vessels berthed at UK ports, regardless of voyage type.