The UK Chamber of Shipping has presented suggestions to the country's Department for Transport for the development of a domestic marine fuel standard. This report is based on the maritime industry's experiences since the implementation of the FuelEU Maritime regulations in January 2025 and includes practical recommendations to expedite the process of reducing marine emissions.
Importance of Practicality in Standards
The chamber supports the goal of accelerating marine emissions reduction but warns that the success of these regulations depends not only on targeting but also on their practical and timely implementation. In this regard, the report emphasizes that any future fuel standard must be designed in a way that allows operators to reduce emissions while remaining aligned with international advancements.
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Learning from the FuelEU Maritime Experience
The UK has an opportunity to learn from the implementation of FuelEU Maritime and can design a regime that supports emissions reduction while minimizing additional administrative burdens, repetitive reporting, or competitive distortions. Peter Aylott, the chamber's policy director, stated: "The industry supports the goal of reducing marine emissions, but regulations will only succeed if they are practical, appropriate to the conditions, and aligned internationally."
Need for Transparency and Reliable Data
Anna Ziou, chair of the chamber's carbon working group and director of maritime affairs and regulations at Carnival Corporation, said: "FuelEU Maritime has shown that fuel standards are much more complex than just setting a target. These standards require mature data systems, clear certification rules, tested digital infrastructure, and sufficient time for the industry, certifiers, and regulatory bodies to prepare."
The report clearly states that the credibility of any future regime in the UK depends on the strength of the evidence supporting it. This evidence includes realistic assumptions about the availability of future fuels, infrastructure deployment, acceptance of ship technologies, and operational behaviors. The UK Chamber of Shipping also calls for early and ongoing collaboration between the government, industry, certifiers, and fuel suppliers to ensure that any approach facilitates investment and prevents unnecessary distortions.
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