With the EU ETS and the newly launched FuelEU Maritime combined, shipping companies and ship managers face a plethora of regulations on emissions. V.Group, one of the world’s leading providers of ship management solutions, is adapting to these new challenges.
The shipping industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation process. By 2050, the EU plans to cut emissions by 80 %, and to meet this goal, both the emissions trade system EU ETS and now the FuelEU Maritime regulation have come into effect. Owners and operators are expected to comply with these new systems to avoid costs – yet doing so may pose a challenge, explains Matt Dunlop, Group Director Sustainability & Decarbonisation at V.Group.
HANSA: How does EU ETS affect V.Group’s current operations?
Matt Dunlop: The inclusion of shipping in the European Union’s Emissions Trading System at the start of 2024 has affected our operations in two ways. Firstly, the regulation endorses the ‘polluter pays’ principle and affects all our vessels entering EU ports. As ship managers, it is our responsibility to not only respond to market demands but actively ensure all the stakeholders we work with are aligned on delivering emissions reduction strategies.
Secondly, EU ETS places a high degree of administrative focus on companies to report on their emissions. Many shipping companies will lack the in-house capacity to be able to prove compliance, which will increase the regulatory and reporting burden for ship managers.

How has V.Group responded to the new regulations?
Dunlop: V. is taking an active role to support customers with end-to-end EU ETS compliance, proactively monitoring developments, as well as spearheading a number of tailored initiatives and strategic partnerships.
Recognising the high administrative burden placed on companies to comply with EU ETS, we partnered with Aither, a specialist in providing carbon trading solutions for shipowners, to support clients with the procurement of EU Allowances (EUAs), which are required for EU ETS compliance.
Using our technology platform ShipSure, daily vessel reports can be collected, collated and captured for automated validation checks before being submitted for emissions verification every day. At the end of each voyage, an approved verifier reviews completed voyage data, verifies and provides an accredited emissions statement. These emissions statements, including outstanding EUAs, are uploaded to OceanScore, a data-driven solution for emissions and compliance, and shared with the client within seven days of the voyage being completed.
Using this toolkit, V. is able to provide full management of EUAs to its clients, transferring and receiving them and then reconciling and accounting them against relevant emissions statements. Critically, these processes allow us to effectively advise our clients, streamline data sharing and improve operational efficiency, helping shipowners navigate the complexities of carbon trading and regulatory requirements.
Earlier this year we launched our ESG Centre of Excellence to support our customers and partners with navigating this and other regulatory requirements. Using the team’s compliance experience, our ShipSure platform, and our market access and trading expertise, we are able to fully support clients with EU ETS, FuelEU, CII and many other environmental requirements.
What are V.Group’s plans for the upcoming years regarding EU ETS?
Dunlop: Our focus will be on continuing to build our strategic partnerships, continue to grow our ESG Centre of Excellence and strengthen service delivery to enable regulatory compliance. The aim is not only to develop strategies for the short term but to lay the groundwork for long-term operational stability and environmental stewardship.
What isV.Group’s stance on FuelEU and how will it affect the future of ship management?
Dunlop: FuelEU Maritime, like EU ETS, is part of the EU’s toolkit to decarbonise shipping. Fundamentally, it aims to increase the uptake of renewable and low-carbon fuels.
More still needs to be done to proactively prepare for the new regulation to avoid the hefty fines associated with non-compliance.
Unlike EU ETS, however, FuelEU Maritime measures the greenhouse gas intensity of fuel which means that ship owners need to consider other interim approaches: utilising LNG, LPG, and biofuel blends that meet the regulation’s GHG intensity limits, exploring pooling arrangements with vessels using lower intensity fuels, and even borrowing compliance credits from future years.
In the midst of this transition, and in anticipation of a stricter regulatory climate, ship managers can play a critical role in enabling compliance. We have been proactively investing in a comprehensive digital solution for FuelEU compliance and incorporating FuelEU solutions within our ESG Centre of Excellence to support compliance. We have also strengthened partnerships, such as our collaboration with the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, to enable us to not only stay ahead of regulation, but also to provide our knowledge to positive forces that are helping to shape the future.