EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) Update – December 2025

The purpose of this customer advisory is to update you on the upcoming changes to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) regulation and what it means for you as we get closer to 1 January 2026 when they are set to take effect.

Changes to EU ETS as of 2026

Starting in 2026, the EU ETS regulation will require shipping lines to account for 100% of emissions, a significant increase from the 70% coverage requirement in 2025. This will result in increased operational and compliance costs for cargo to and from EU/EEA countries. Customers will contribute to the additional costs via an EU ETS surcharge that will apply across the supply chain like those applied for other forms of regulation.

Additional Customer Information

It is important to remember that the surcharge will fluctuate depending on the pricing of carbon allowances traded into the system, and we will be applying the same principles followed by the Bunker Recovery Charge (BRC).

Please note that surcharges can be subject to change, and we will ensure you remain updated on any future developments concerning the implementation of EU ETS and its impact on our services.

Should you have any questions, please contact your local MSC representatives in our global network of more than 675 offices.