Shipping Emissions & Sustainability

Sustainability has been rising steadily up the agenda for logistics and supply chains, but 2026 marks a clear turning point for shipping and transport emissions.

Key regulatory changes across the UK and EU are moving from phased introduction into full enforcement, with a particular focus on greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport. For businesses shipping goods internationally, these changes will have real-world implications for cost, data requirements, and decision-making.

What’s Changing in 2026?

Until recently, emissions reporting and decarbonisation in shipping have largely focused on targets and long-term ambition. From 2026 onwards, the emphasis shifts decisively towards measured emissions, verified data, and financial accountability.

Shipping emissions are no longer just an environmental topic — they are becoming a regulated cost and compliance issue.

EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) – Maritime

From 1 January 2026, the EU Emissions Trading System for maritime transport reaches full implementation.

Shipping companies operating vessels of 5,000 gross tonnes and above will be required to:

Pay for 100% of verified emissions on voyages within the EU
Pay for 50% of emissions on voyages between EU and non-EU ports
Include methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) alongside carbon dioxide

In practice, these costs are increasingly being passed through to cargo owners via freight rates, bunker adjustment factors, and contractual surcharges. We’ve previously looked at this topic through the lens of container shipping, including how decarbonisation initiatives are influencing vessel operations and wider industry behaviour.

FuelEU Maritime

FuelEU Maritime complements the EU ETS but takes a different approach.

Rather than pricing emissions, it focuses on reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of energy used onboard ships, measured against a 2020 baseline. The first compliance cycle concludes in April 2026, covering emissions reported during 2025.

As the regulation moves from reporting into enforcement, vessel efficiency and fuel choice will come under greater scrutiny.

UK Emissions Trading System (UK ETS)

Alongside EU requirements, a separate UK Emissions Trading System for maritime shipping is expected to commence on 1 July 2026.

Although broadly aligned with the EU framework, it will operate as a distinct regime. Businesses shipping to, from, or via the UK should therefore be prepared for overlapping but separate emissions schemes, depending on routing and port calls.

Carbon Reporting That Customers Can Trust

As emissions regulation tightens, customers increasingly require credible, consistent carbon data to support reporting, disclosures, and decision-making.

Recognised methodologies matter. The GLEC Framework, developed by the Smart Freight Centre, provides a standardised approach to calculating transport emissions across all modes and aligns with ISO 14083.

RWLS can also assist customers by calculating emissions for individual goods movements using a GLEC-aligned, ISO 14083-compliant emissions calculator. This provides auditable, shipment-level data that can be used for Scope 3 reporting, customer disclosures, and sustainability decision-making.

What This Means for Businesses Shipping Goods

With emissions regulation moving quickly, the focus is shifting from high-level sustainability statements to practical readiness:

Understanding where emissions-related costs may arise
Ensuring access to reliable shipment-level data
Making informed decisions about routes, modes, and suppliers

Early preparation helps reduce disruption and avoid reactive decision-making.

How RWLS Can Help

As a freight forwarding and logistics provider, RWLS works closely with customers navigating these evolving emissions requirements.

Whether you’re looking to understand how shipping regulations affect your supply chain, or need support with shipment-level emissions calculations, we’re happy to help.

If you’d like to discuss how shipping emissions rules in 2026 may impact your movements, please get in touch with the RWLS team.

In our next blog, we’ll look beyond transport to the wider sustainability and compliance rules affecting packaging, waste, products, and supply chains.