EU ETS, FuelEU, CII, UK ETS and the Net-Zero Framework compared
Five rules, five different measures. A ship trading into Europe can owe under four of them in the same year.
Updated 2026-10-20
| EU ETS | FuelEU Maritime | IMO CII | UK ETS | IMO Net-Zero (draft) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Tonnes of CO₂e emitted | GHG intensity of energy used (gCO₂e/MJ, well-to-wake) | CO₂ per capacity-mile | Tonnes of CO₂e emitted | GHG intensity of all energy (gCO₂e/MJ) |
| Ships | 5,000 GT+ cargo and passenger (offshore from 2027) | Above 5,000 GT, cargo and passenger | 5,000 GT+ of 12 types | 5,000 GT+ | 5,000 GT+ in international trade |
| Voyages | 100% within EU/EEA and at berth, 50% in or out | Same as EU ETS | All voyages | UK domestic and in port; GB–NI 50% | All voyages |
| Since | 2024 | 2025 | 2023 | 1 July 2026 | Draft, from 2028 if adopted |
| What it costs | An allowance per tonne (€85 assumed) | Penalty €2,400 per t VLSFO-eq of deficit, or pooling | No direct charge; corrective action plan for D or E | A UK allowance per tonne | Remedial units, US$100 or US$380 per t |
| Main deadline | 30 September: surrender | 30 June: Document of Compliance | 31 March: report; 31 May: rating | 30 April: surrender | Not set |
| Who acts | Shipping company (ISM DoC holder or mandated) | Shipping company | Company reports; the Administration rates | The company responsible for the ship | Company |
| Calculator | EU ETS | FuelEU | CII | UK ETS | Net-Zero |
Why they pull in different directions
The CII rewards less CO₂ per mile, so a ship sailing longer routes with little cargo can look better than it is. The EU ETS charges each tonne, however efficient the ship. FuelEU rewards the fuel, not the speed: a slow ship on heavy fuel oil still has a deficit. Planning for one rule alone leaves money on the table under the others.
Questions
What is the difference between the EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime?
The EU ETS prices each tonne of CO₂-equivalent a ship emits on EU-related voyages. FuelEU limits how carbon-intensive the energy is. A ship can owe under both in the same year.
Does a good CII rating help with the EU ETS?
Only indirectly. Less fuel per mile lowers both, but the CII is a rating while the EU ETS is a cost per tonne.
Does LNG help under all of them?
It lowers the CII and the EU ETS cost and, with a low-slip engine, the FuelEU intensity. With a high-slip engine, methane counted from 2026 erodes much of the gain.
EU ETS, FuelEU, CII and UK ETS for each ship, from the public register or your own data.