UK ETS Compliance for Shipping
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme applies to ships calling at UK ports from 1 July 2026. SEACOTEC provides complete UK ETS compliance support — monitoring, reporting and allowance management.
What does the UK ETS mean for Shipping?
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme extended to maritime from 1 July 2026. Shipping companies operating vessels of 5,000 GT and above on voyages to or from UK ports must monitor emissions under UK MRV and surrender UK Allowances (UKAs) for covered CO₂ emissions.
UK-specific scheme
The UK ETS will operate independently from EU ETS post-Brexit. Ships may be subject to both schemes depending on their trading routes.
Coverage scope
Initially, voyages between UK ports and UK port stays.
UK Allowances (UKAs) surrender
Allowances (UKAs) must be surrendered based on verified emissions reported under UK MRV until 30 April 2028 (2026 and 2027 allowances surrendered together)
Dual compliance
Many operators trading in both EU and UK waters face obligations under both schemes simultaneously — requiring careful coordination.
How SEACOTEC Supports Your UK ETS Compliance
We handle UK ETS compliance alongside EU ETS — giving you a single point of contact for all your emissions trading obligations.
Monitoring Plan
UK MRV Electronic Monitoring Plan drafting and submission to UK authorities.
Data Collection
All relevant fuel and voyage data collected and validated via SEACOLLECT.
Financial Analysis
Voyage-level UK ETS cost calculations and financial impact analysis via SEACOSCORE.
UK ETS Statements
UK ETS compliance statements generated via SEACOSCORE to facilitate contractual agreements.
UKA Surrender
UK Allowances (UKAs) calculation, procurement support and timely surrender.
Annual Reporting
UK emissions report preparation and full coordination with UK authorities.
Regulatory Updates
Ongoing compliance calendar management and proactive regulatory change alerts.
Manage UK ETS with SEACOSTAR
Our SEACOSTAR platform tracks both EU ETS and UK ETS obligations in one place — so you always know your allowance position across all markets.
SEACOLLECT
SEACOSCORE
SEACODOCKUK ETS — Frequently Asked Questions
They are separate schemes. The UK left the EU ETS after Brexit and launched its own UK Emissions Trading Scheme in 2021. Shipping was added from 2025. The two schemes run independently — operators trading in both UK and EU waters must comply with both.
UK ETS applies to ships of 5,000 GT and above on voyages between UK ports and port stays within UK ports.
UK ETS uses UK Allowances (UKAs), which are separate from EU Allowances (EUAs). UKAs must be surrendered annually. The price of UKAs fluctuates independently from EUAs, so monitoring both markets is essential.
The shipping company — the shipowner or ISM manager — must open a UK ETS account and surrender UKAs by 30 September each year. Non-compliance results in a penalty of £100 per tonne of CO₂ plus the obligation to still surrender the outstanding allowances.
Yes, if you operate voyages to/from both UK and EU ports. Note that UK ETS applies only to domestic UK voyages and UK port stays so a voyage from Hamburg, Germany to Liverpool, UK is not subject to UK ETS. SEACOSTAR tracks both simultaneously so you never miss an obligation.
Operating in UK and EU waters?
We help fleets manage both UK ETS and EU ETS together — streamlining your compliance and reducing administrative burden.