#52026SC0119EU maritime emissions hit a record high in 2024 amid Red Sea rerouting
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This report says EU-monitored shipping emitted a record 144.9 million tonnes of CO2 in 2024, plus 3.7 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent from methane and nitrous oxide reported for the first time. The main driver was longer rerouted voyages around the Cape of Good Hope after Red Sea disruption, especially for container ships, while cargo volumes in EU ports were mostly flat. For business and compliance teams, the practical message is that maritime emissions obligations are now wider and more mature: companies had to report more data, including new gases, and they are operating under tighter EU climate rules tied to ETS and FuelEU Maritime. The report also shows stronger compliance performance, with better on-time reporting and very high allowance surrender rates, but it signals that shipping patterns can still push emissions up even when trade volumes do not.
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Key Changes
- 2024 was the first year ships had to report methane and nitrous oxide under the EU maritime MRV system.
- Reported CO2 emissions rose to a record 144.9 million tonnes, driven mainly by rerouted voyages after Red Sea disruption.
- Compliance improved: on-time reporting increased and only 2% of inspected ships lacked a valid compliance document in 2025.
Obligations
What this law requires
Shipping companies operating ships above 5,000 gross tonnage on voyages to, from, or between EEA ports must monitor and report fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and other key voyage parameters under the EU MRV Maritime Regulation, regardless of vessel flag.
From 1 January 2024, shipping companies must include methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in MRV reporting, in addition to CO2, for ships within the MRV scope.
Shipping companies must submit MRV data only after it has been satisfactorily verified by an independent verifier accredited by a national accreditation body and entered through the THETIS-MRV system.
Shipping companies must comply with EU ETS maritime allowance surrender requirements for reported emissions covered by the system, using MRV data as the basis for the number of allowances due.
By 2025, ships subject to MRV compliance checks must be able to provide a valid document of compliance during port State control inspections to demonstrate compliance with the EU MRV obligations for the previous year.