In brief
The maritime expansion took effect on 1 July 2026.
It covers qualifying domestic maritime journeys and emissions while qualifying vessels are in UK ports.
Vessels of 5,000 gross tonnage and above are central to the current scope, and regulated maritime operators face monitoring, reporting, verification and allowance obligations.
Who is responsible
Responsibility can rest with the registered owner or the International Safety Management company where responsibility has been transferred through the required legally binding written agreement. The regulator may treat the registered owner as responsible where another responsible operator has not been identified.
Covered activity
The current regime covers qualifying UK domestic maritime journeys, emissions generated while qualifying ships are in UK ports, relevant qualifying vessel activity and scheme-year criteria. It should not be read as covering all international voyages.
Data required
- vessel identity
- gross tonnage
- voyage details
- port calls
- fuel type
- fuel consumption
- emissions factors
- monitoring-method evidence
- operator-responsibility documentation
- verification evidence
- allowance records
Compliance-risk panel
- incorrect operator identification
- missing voyage data
- inconsistent fuel records
- late monitoring arrangements
- verification failure
- incomplete port emissions
- insufficient allowance planning
- weak audit trails
Actions to consider
- Determine whether the ship and activity are covered.
- Identify the responsible maritime operator.
- Register or onboard with the regulator.
- Establish an approved monitoring approach.
- Collect fuel and voyage activity data.
- Calculate reportable emissions.
- Complete required verification.
- Submit verified emissions information.
- Acquire and surrender allowances according to scheme deadlines.
- Retain evidence and governance records.
How SustainZone supports preparation
- applicability assessment
- emissions-data architecture
- maritime MRV data workflows
- fuel and voyage data mapping
- dashboard design
- emissions calculation support
- evidence controls
- risk and readiness assessments
SustainZone does not claim to act as an accredited emissions verifier.
Review your maritime emissions data readiness