The United Kingdom has formally extended its national Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) to maritime transport through the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026. From July 1, 2026, ships of 5,000 GT and above on domestic UK voyages must monitor, verify and surrender allowances for CO₂, methane and nitrous oxide emissions, adding a powerful national layer to IMO decarbonisation efforts.
According to specialist maritime and legal reporting, the UK has expanded its Emissions Trading Scheme to cover maritime activities via the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026, effective for ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above from July 1, 2026. The extended UK ETS applies to carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emissions from domestic UK voyages and in-port activities, regardless of a ship’s flag. Domestic voyages include sailings that both start and end at a UK port, with a specific 50% surrender deduction for voyages between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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