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.
Source:
hellenicshippingnews.comShare this article
Related news
IMO chief urges ships to avoid Strait of Hormuz amid escalating attacks
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said ships should avoid the Strait of Hormuz and reassess risks before operating in high-risk areas.
Malaysia to centralize bunkering approvals and develop green-fuel rules
From February 1, 2027, Malaysia’s Transport Ministry will become the sole authority approving bunkering licences and related permits. The country is also working with Australia on a legal framework for LNG, biofuels and methanol in support of IMO-related environmental targets.
Argus launches first FuelEU Maritime spot price index, boosting transparency in EU ship emissions compliance trading
Price reporting agency Argus has introduced the first FuelEU Maritime pooling spot price, quoted in €/t CO₂ equivalent, to bring transparency to the growing market where shipowners trade surplus compliance under the EU’s FuelEU Maritime regulation. The scheme applies to ships above 5,000 GT operating in EU waters and requires progressive greenhouse gas reductions from a 2% cut today to 80% by 2050.