The obligation applies to all intra-EEA maritime transport and half of all journeys between EEA and non-EEA ports. The ETS surcharge is already part of the price structure for maritime transport, but its share will increase significantly from the beginning of 2026.
At the same time, emissions accounting will expand to cover not only carbon dioxide but also methane and nitrous oxide. The expansion has progressed gradually: in 2024, emissions trading covered 40% of maritime emissions, this year 2025 70% and from 2026 100%.
The expansion of emissions trading is reflected in sea freight prices
Full coverage will affect the cost structure of maritime transport. For customers, this means in practice an increase in the ETS fee by several tens of euros per unit, especially on long routes between the Baltic Sea and Central Europe.
We closely monitor the pricing changes of our shipping company partners and strive to provide our customers with up-to-date information on the ETS impacts.
You can read more about the EU ETS - Emissions Trading System from this link.
Merja Laiho
Operations Director, Ocean freight
+358 40 596 1481
merja.laiho(at)chs.fi
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