FuelEU Maritime: the next deadline and what it means for shipowners

A new EU regulation that came into force in January 2025 continues to set binding limits on the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of fuel used by ships trading in European waters, with the latest critical compliance deadline arriving on 30 June 2026.

FuelEU Maritime is a progressive framework of GHG intensity reductions for vessels operating in EU and EEA waters, with requirements that tighten steadily through to 2050. Individual ship reports were due by 31 January, compliance balances must be approved by 30 April, and the FuelEU Document of Compliance must be on board by 30 June, which is also the deadline for any penalty payments.

FuelEU Documents of Compliance are valid for one year until 30 June 2027. If a ship fails to present a Document of Compliance for two or more consecutive reporting periods, they could face expulsion orders and any penalty would carry a 10% uplift.

With those dates either passed or fast approaching, operators should be confirming their compliance position now. Understanding the framework this year also matters for longer-term fuel and fleet planning as the limits tighten through the coming decades.

The regulation was introduced to accelerate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon fuels in international maritime transport within the EU and European Economic Area (EEA). Rather than dictating which fuels ships must use, it works by capping the average GHG intensity of the energy a vessel consumes, measured in grams of CO2 equivalent per megajoule on a well-to-wake basis.

That well-to-wake methodology is important: it accounts not just for what comes out of the exhaust, but for emissions generated during the extraction, production, and transportation of the fuel itself.

The baseline for the regulation is the average well-to-wake GHG intensity of the global fleet in 2020, set at 91.16 gCO2e/MJ. From that starting point, the required reductions step up progressively. Ships must achieve a 2% reduction against that baseline in 2025, rising to 6% by 2030, and reaching an 80% reduction by 2050.

Where a ship trades determines how much of its fuel consumption counts towards its compliance figure. Voyages and port calls entirely within the EU or EEA count in full. For voyages into or out of the EU or EEA, only half of the energy used is counted. Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein are not yet covered under FuelEU, so port calls there are currently treated the same as calls at non-EU ports.

In addition to the GHG intensity limits, the regulation introduces an onshore power supply requirement. From 2030, passenger ships and container vessels must connect to shore power when berthed at relevant EU ports for more than two hours. From 2035, this extends to all ports where shore power infrastructure is available.

With the upcoming deadline of 30 June fast approaching, owners must ensure that they take steps today to ensure their vessels are carrying a valid FuelEU Document of Compliance when entering an EU port.

 

Understanding your FuelEU Maritime obligations

Brookes Bell's Fuel and Fuel Cargoes team works with shipowners, operators, insurers, and legal teams on a wide range of fuel-related matters, from quality disputes and contamination claims to technical advisory on alternative and low-carbon fuels.

Our fuel advisory services can help you understand your obligations under FuelEU Maritime, assess your current compliance position, and plan for the regulation's tightening requirements in the years ahead.

Discuss your requirements with our Fuel and Fuel Cargoes team today