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FuelEU surplus prices are increasingly used for charter party settlements, pooling decisions and compliance planning. But not every number is a benchmark. This article explains why methodology matters, why executed trades are the strongest reference, and what to check before relying on a FuelEU surplus index.

Today, pooling is widely recognised as a reliable compliance mechanism under FuelEU Maritime. In most commercial discussions, the underlying assumption is that once a pool is agreed, it will be executed. This assumption deserves closer investigation. In practice, pooling is not a single step but a multi-stage process with dependencies and hard deadlines. The successful execution of a pool requires that each of these steps is completed correctly and in sequence by all pool par

FuelEU Maritime is now transitioning from a phase of preparation into one of execution. Over the first compliance year, market participants have developed compliance strategies based on assumptions. Surplus positions were modelled, pooling arrangements were structured, and commercial transactions were entered into on the expectation that these structures would translate into regulatory outcomes once the FuelEU Database and its operational framework became operational. With th

As regulatory obligations under FuelEU Maritime begin to settle into market practice, maritime lawyers and shipowners face new challenges. They must craft robust Sale and Purchase (S&P) contracts for ships that safeguard against unexpected regulatory and commercial liability. While our previous newsletter addressed the general compliance responsibilities of buyers and sellers (“Selling and Buying Ships Under FuelEU Maritime”), this edition moves beyond theory. It provides act

Each week, more stakeholders enter the FuelEU Maritime pooling market. With this influx comes growing uncertainty about what can and should be traded. One recurring misconception is the idea of trading only “already generated surplus.” While this cautious approach may seem prudent, it overlooks the annual nature of FuelEU Maritime compliance. Understanding FuelEU Calculations & Annual Energy Consumption FuelEU Maritime does not measure compliance at any single point in time.

As the first FuelEU Maritime compliance cycle progresses, the surplus market has expanded rapidly. What began as a maritime compliance instrument has evolved into a traded commodity. This evolution has attracted far more participants than the regulation or its creators anticipated. FuelEU Pooling Rights and Their Holders The regulation assigns compliance responsibility to the ISM company, granting them the right to pool. However, contractual arrangements allow for the reassig

FuelEU Maritime compliance brings new commercial challenges. While the regulation defines penalties and created a surplus trading market, it leaves open how owners and charterers should settle costs and benefits in charter parties. The result? A wide range of FuelEU addendums now circulating in the market. In today's newsletter, we shed light on the different settlement options. General Recap: Charter Party Agreements under FuelEU Maritime End of 2024, BIMCO released its stan

One of the lesser-discussed but tricky elements of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation is the power of administering states to conduct retrospective checks, reviewing and re-verifying compliance data after it has already been submitted and even accepted. This retrospective power can reach back two full compliance periods and can have significant implications. What happens if a ship’s 2025 data is reassessed in 2027? What if that vessel was part of a pool that was declared complian

With the FuelEU Maritime compliance mechanisms taking full effect and the FuelEU Marketplace officially starting this month, early movers on BetterSea's platform now have access to an exclusive, limited-volume surplus offer, marking the beginning of a new era in maritime compliance. This is your chance to secure surplus early - to learn more about how this can fit into your compliance strategy, reach out to our team today at info@bettersea.tech With the compliance year 2025 i