The EU ETS system and the International Maritime Organization regulations impose a permanent surcharge on maritime transport. Find out how to manage it.
Why is decarbonization no longer an option but a permanent expense?
In recent years, we have observed that the transition towards sustainability in maritime transport is ceasing to be an aspiration and becoming an unavoidable cost. At AGC Newtral, we have detected that the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and IMO regulations are materializing as a fixed cost component for shipping companies, shipowners, and, ultimately, importers and exporters. The adjustment is not in the future: it has already begun.
What is causing the increase in environmental costs in maritime transport?
First, the legal implementation of the EU ETS in the maritime sector. Starting in 2025, shipping companies will have to surrender emission allowances for 70% of their reported emissions from the previous year, compared to 40% in 2024. This applies to 100% of emissions on trips between EU ports, and to 50% of emissions from international voyages with origin or destination in the EU.
Second, the anticipated increase in the price of emission allowances (EUA): due to a limited supply of credits and a clear greenhouse gas reduction target, the cost of producing or transporting goods by sea rises.
Third, the regulatory pressure from FuelEU Maritime and the IMO towards more expensive alternative fuels (methanol, ammonia, hydrogen) and reducing carbon intensity in ships. These combined factors make the green surcharge a structural variable, and not simply an “extra” or a temporary additional fee.
What implications does it have for companies that export or import?
For an exporting or importing company, this surcharge translates into several realities:
- The cost of transportation is no longer limited to freight, fuel surcharges, or insurance: there is a regulatory compliance cost that is passed on to the logistics chain. Not considering it means accepting tighter margins or unpleasant surprises.
- If your supply chain operates with ships that call at European ports, you must anticipate that this ‘environmental cost’ will be applied and will need to be negotiated with your shipping company or freight forwarder.
- Para sectores sensibles al coste del transporte (por ejemplo, bienes de consumo de bajo margen, productos de alto volumen, exportaciones de mercados emergentes), este sobrecoste puede erosionar la competitividad internacional.
What do we suggest from AGC Newtral to anticipate and manage this new cost?
Review and explicitly negotiate the emission surcharge formula (EMS/ESS): when hiring freight or maritime services, demand transparency on how the shipping company calculates the emission surcharge. Do not accept generic formulas that later turn into unexpected costs.
Evaluate ‘green’ transportation partners: consider working with shipping companies that demonstrate leadership in sustainability, invest in efficient fleets, or use alternative fuels. This can be a factor in medium-term cost mitigation.
Include the green surcharge in your Total Cost of Operation (TCO) model: do not treat it as an optional extra, but as another fixed variable in your logistics operations.
Anticipate scenarios: what happens if the emission right price doubles? And what if the percentage of mandatory emissions occurs earlier than expected? Prepare alternative routes, adjust margins, or negotiate adjustment clauses in your logistics contracts.
Conclusion: sustainability ceases to be just a narrative and becomes a cost
Maritime transport is undergoing a structural change. The green surcharge is no longer something that can be ignored or postponed; it is a cost that requires action. At AGC Newtral, we believe that those who manage this new component in advance will be in a better position than those who face it reactively. We invite you to align your logistics strategy, costs, and contracts with the new environment. It’s not just about being sustainable: it’s about being competitive.
