Liners Set Out EU ETS Surcharges Ranging From €7 To €105 Per TEU

Indications of charges to be levied by Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM to cover the costs of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) have been released this week, with estimates ranging from €7 to €105 per teu.

From January the EU ETS will apply to all shipping coming to or leaving the EU or operating within EU waters.

The cap-and-trade system will impose an annually decreasing level of allowed emissions for companies, who will monitor their own emissions which will then be independently audited, and buy EU allowances (EUA) to pay for the carbon equivalent emissions.

In 2024 the EU ETS will cover 40% of emissions measured rising to 70% in 2025 and 100% in a year later, and in 2026 NOx and methane will also be included in the calculation for the EU ETS. However, services that start or end outside of the EU will only be charged at 50%, leaving the third country to decide on carbon charges in its jurisdiction.

Of the three carriers that have recently indicated what the EU ETS level will be Hapag-Lloyd has given comprehensive figures, with a spokesman telling Seatrade Maritime News: “The EU ETS surcharge calculation for our customers is based on average weighted shipment emissions per sub-relation, achieved by distributing standardised costs.

“We use the industry proven Clean Cargo Emission Calculation Methodology, which works with average emission factors based on a standardised utilisation roundtrip.”

According to the German carrier, it aims to establish an easy to use calculator that customers can use to establish their emissions costs and “clearly displays the EU ETS added costs’ levels.”

Charges indicated by Hapag range from €12 per teu for dry containers and €31 per teu for reefers on the Asia to north Europe trades, €7 and €16 for east Asia to southern Europe, €9 and €16 on the Atlantic, and Europe to Africa will attract charges of €17 and €29 per teu for dry and reefers respectively.

Hapag added customers that use Ship Green will receive a discount of 25%, 50% or 100% depending on which service was booked.

Maersk also has a green shipment option that will reduce its EU ETS surcharges, called ECO Delivery.

However, Maersk indicates that its charges could be significantly higher than their German competitors.

Far East to North Europe charges by Maersk are calculated at €70 and €105 per feu, with the return €46 and €69. North America to the Mediterranean is gauged at €66 and €91 and the return journey is €91 and €137.

CMA CGM said it used the EUA price of €90 per tonne of carbon and calculates Asia to North Europe charges will be €25 and €40 per teu, while Europe to north America is calculated at €43 and €65 per teu, respectively.

It is expected that all lines will release the actual surcharges that will be levied as a result of the EU ETS at least 30 days before the regulation comes into effect.