FuelEU Maritime

FuelEU Maritime is Regulation (EU) 2023/1805, adopted as part of the European Union's "Fit for 55" package to align EU climate policy with the European Climate Law's net-zero-by-2050 target. It entered into force in 2023 and its core obligations apply from 1 January 2025.

The regulation sets a well-to-wake greenhouse gas intensity limit on the energy used on board ships, measured in grams of CO₂-equivalent per megajoule. The limit tightens over time relative to a 2020 baseline: a 2% reduction from 2025, rising in steps to 80% by 2050. It covers ships above 5,000 GT, regardless of flag, when calling at EU ports — 100% of intra-EU voyages and port energy use, and 50% of voyages to or from a non-EU port.

Key features include:

• Fuel neutrality: the rule targets emissions intensity rather than mandating specific fuels, allowing biofuels, e-fuels, LNG, methanol, ammonia, or hydrogen to compete.
• RFNBO sub-target: from 2034, renewable fuels of non-biological origin (e-fuels) must supply at least 2% of energy if voluntary uptake falls short.
• Onshore power supply (OPS): container and passenger ships at major TEN-T ports must connect to shore-side electricity from 2030.
• Pooling and banking: companies can pool compliance across fleets and bank or borrow surpluses between years.
• Penalties: non-compliant operators pay a fee proportional to the deficit, channelled into maritime decarbonisation.

FuelEU Maritime complements the extension of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to shipping (phased in from 2024 under Directive (EU) 2023/959). Together they form the EU's two-pillar approach: ETS prices carbon emitted, while FuelEU pushes the fuel mix itself toward lower-carbon alternatives. The regulation has drawn attention from flag states, the IMO, and non-EU shipping companies because of its extraterritorial reach.