Navigating the shifting tides of maritime regulations, the FuelEU Maritime initiative emerges as a beacon of sustainability, aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions within the shipping industry, Gard highlights.
According to Eleni Antoniadou and Neil Henderson the purpose of the FuelEU Maritime (FuelEU) is to stimulate shipping’s uptake of renewable and low-carbon fuels to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As the maritime sector charts a course toward decarbonization, companies must navigate the intricate web of regulations, obligations, and technical specifications outlined in the FuelEU Monitoring Plan.
Key elements of the revised Monitoring Plan
Gard states that vessels trading in the EU/EEA countries should have the approved FuelEU Maritime Monitoring Plan on board before 1 January 2025. Once the Monitoring Plan is finalised, the verifier should record it in the FuelEU database. The Monitoring Plan should be accessible to the Administering State.
The FuelEU Monitoring Plan is detailed and must include the following key elements, amongst other information:
Emissions sources are to be listed and described, such as main engines, auxiliary engines, fuel cells, and waste incinerators.
Fuel types are also to be listed and described, for example: ‘H2 (Fossil)’, ‘NH3 (Fossil), ‘Methanol (Fossil)’, ‘Ethanol’, ‘Bio-diesel’, ‘Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)’, ‘e-diesel’, ‘e-methanol’, ‘e-LNG’, ‘e-H2’, and ‘e-NH3’. Where there is fuel blending, each component of the blended fuel must be considered as a separate fuel.
The emission factor to be applied to each fuel type applicable over the reporting period must be identified. A description of the relevant procedures to update emissions sources, fuel types, fuel consumption and activity data per voyage (such as distance travelled, cargo carried, time spent at sea).
A description of the control system to be put in place, which should include written procedures for data flow activities, risk assessment, and control activities.
Procedures for monitoring the fuel consumption of each fuel type as well as the energy provided by substitute sources or a zero-emission technology. A description of the procedures for monitoring and reporting the well-to-tank and tank-to-wake emission factors of energy to be used on board.
