Navigating the New Era of Carbon Regulation

At Europort 2025 in Rotterdam Ahoy, a high-level panel explored one of the maritime industry’s most urgent challenges: how to navigate the complex web of FuelEU Maritime, the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), and MRV/DCS reporting.

The session, titled "Navigating FuelEU, EU ETS & MRV: Tools, Strategies & Market Access,” was moderated by Igor Damming and featured expert panellists Kunal Sharma, Maximilian Schroer, Torbjørn Lie, and Yunus Kaya. Adding political weight to the discussion, Dutch caretaker Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management Robert Tieman also took part, underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting the sector through Europe’s tightening climate regulations.

From Policy to Practice
Minister Tieman opened by highlighting the Netherlands’ pivotal role in balancing regulatory ambition with industry practicality, stressing that clear guidance and cooperation between policymakers, ports, and operators are vital for a smooth transition.

The panel then examined how the industry can move from reporting to readiness, with accurate MRV/DCS compliance forming the foundation for both EU and IMO requirements. Digitalisation was identified as key to ensuring data integrity, audit efficiency, and transparency.

The experts discussed EU ETS allowance strategies and how shipowners can manage costs through a combination of energy efficiency, voyage optimisation, and smart financial planning. Several speakers argued that ETS should be viewed not just as a compliance tool but as a driver for innovation and cleaner technologies.
 

Digital Tools and Global Alignment

Across the session, the role of digital tools emerged as central to managing verification, auditing, and allowance tracking. The speakers also called for greater alignment between EU and IMO frameworks, warning that fragmented systems could slow global decarbonisation efforts.

In closing, Minister Tieman and the panellists agreed that collaboration between regulators, industry, and technology providers is the only way forward. By harmonising standards, leveraging data, and sharing responsibility, the maritime sector can turn compliance challenges into opportunities, steering toward a more efficient and sustainable future.