Compliance for emissions regulations primarily falls on ship operators, although this responsibility can be legally transferred to the ISM company through an agreement. As per DNV’s guidance, the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) will encompass the maritime sector starting July 1, covering cargo and passenger vessels over 5,000 GT engaged in domestic UK voyages.
The implementation follows a defined compliance schedule, beginning with the submission of an Emissions Monitoring Plan (EMP) to the regulator for approval. This plan must detail the monitoring methods, list of vessels, sources of emissions, and calculation techniques, all submitted at the company level. While the EMP does not require formal verification, regulatory approval is necessary.
Operators are also required to engage an independent verifier accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) to validate their Annual Emissions Report (AER), which must be filed by March 31 each year. For the initial year, covering July to December 2026, the deadline for surrendering allowances is extended to April 30, 2028. Offshore vessels will join the scheme from January 1, 2027.
The UK ETS covers emissions from domestic port-to-port voyages, port calls, and time spent at berth, focusing on greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Notably, government non-commercial vessels, fishing vessels, and Scottish ferry services are exempt, while international voyages are excluded. Unlike the EU ETS, the UK ETS operates without a physical Document of Compliance, with all processes managed digitally through the METS platform.
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