FuelEU Maritime
Compliance & Pooling Agreement Services for GCC-Based Shipowners
As of January 1, 2025, all commercial vessels ≥5,000 GT calling at European Union ports must comply with the FuelEU Maritime Regulation.
This applies regardless of the ship’s flag, and therefore directly affects shipowners and operators based in the Middle East and GCC region (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc.).
Why Does FuelEU Matter to GCC Companies?
Even if your vessels are flagged and operated outside the EU, FuelEU Maritime applies to you if your ships:
- Are 5,000 GT or larger,
- Call at any EU or EEA port,
- And consume fuel subject to greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting and intensity thresholds.
As a GCC-based shipowner, manager, or charterer, you will be required to:
- Monitor fuel-related GHG emissions
- Report compliance with annual intensity limits
- Potentially purchase low-GHG fuels or engage in Pooling Agreements
- Integrate FuelEU planning into your chartering and bunkering strategy
FuelEU is not optional — it applies per port call, not per flag.
Proactive compliance means fewer penalties, lower costs, and better access to European trade lanes.
What does FuelEU Maritime require?
Vessels must comply with annual greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity limits, calculated well-to-wake based on the fuel used.
Exceeding the limit results in financial penalties and potential operational restrictions.
Performing better than the threshold generates a surplus of compliance, which can be transferred to other vessels.
What is a Pooling Agreement?
A Pooling Agreement is an official compliance mechanism under the FuelEU regulation that allows:
- Efficient vessels to monetize their surplus by transferring it to less efficient vessels,
- Non-compliant vessels to cover their shortfall by acquiring surplus compliance from others.
These transfers must be formalized in a written agreement and reported to the European Commission by March 31st of the following year.
Our Services
We assist shipowners, operators, and technical managers in the GCC with end-to-end FuelEU support:
01
Assessment of FuelEU applicability
02
Preparation and filing of the FuelEU Monitoring Plan
03
GHG intensity calculations for each vessel
04
Drafting and negotiation of Pooling Agreements
05
Support in case of audit or verification
06
Preparation and filing of the FuelEU Monitoring Plan
07
Matchmaking with counterparties for surplus pooling
08
Documentation support for annual reporting and compliance