Significant increases in ocean carrier emissions surcharges for 2026

The cost of complying with Europe’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is rising sharply for container shipping lines, with ETS-linked surcharges set to rise again from 1 January 2026, when the scheme reaches full emissions coverage.

The EU ETS covers CO₂ emissions from large vessels calling at EU and EEA ports, with carriers needing emissions allowances to cover 40% of emissions in 2024, 70% in 2025 and 100% from 2026 onwards.

The system counts 100% of emissions on intra-EU voyages and 50% on legs into or out of the EU, making all Asia–Europe, transatlantic and Middle East–Europe services liable.

From 2026, the scheme also expands to include methane and nitrous oxide, increasing the emissions cost base for carriers.

How carriers are charging for ETS

Surcharges labelled EU ETS, EUETSS, EMS, ESS, or energy transition surcharge are typically calculated per TEU or FEU and vary by trade lane and equipment type.

They are generally reviewed quarterly against assumptions on fuel consumption and European Union Allowance (EUA) prices.

Industry benchmarking shows wide variation in how carriers price the ETS element, with some operators charging significantly above estimated carbon cost.

From January 2026, carriers must submit allowances for 100% of emissions, directly increasing their cost base. With EUA prices assessed at around €75–80 in recent months and expected to remain elevated, the financial impact is significant.

Several carriers have already announced material increases in emissions surcharges for Q1 2026, in many cases rising 40–50% or more. Examples include:

• Asia–North Europe surcharges increasing from roughly $114 to $168/FEU
• Asia–Mediterranean rising from $80 to $130/FEU
• Mediterranean–North America increasing from $151 to $236/FEU
• North Europe–US rising from $89 to $139/FEU

For some carriers there is also the added cost of FuelEU Maritime compliance. FuelEU requires carriers to reduce the greenhouse-gas intensity of marine fuels; the cost has risen as biofuel prices climb relative to conventional fuels. Some carriers now bundle ETS and FuelEU Maritime into a single emissions surcharge, so customers see one consolidated carbon charge.

How Metro is protecting customers from rising ETS surcharges

ETS surcharges are now a permanent feature of EU-related ocean freight and will form a growing share of total landed cost from 2026. What matters most for shippers is not only the upward trajectory of these charges, but also the wide variability between carriers and the risk of over-recovery on some lanes.

Metro is taking a structured, data-driven approach to shield customers from unnecessary ETS cost:

• Benchmarking all carriers and trades to identify where ETS surcharges materially exceed realistic carbon cost, ensuring customers never pay more than is justified.
• Challenging carrier assumptions and negotiating firmly where surcharge levels appear inflated or misaligned with underlying emissions exposure or EUA pricing.
• Optimising routings and port choices to minimise exposure to EU-touching legs where viable alternatives exist, without compromising transit time or reliability.
• Expanding lower-emission service options, including biofuel-enabled and mass-balance products, to help customers reduce both their environmental footprint and their exposure to emissions-based charges.

As ETS reaches full coverage in 2026 and FuelEU Maritime adds further cost pressure, Metro is integrating emissions compliance into freight planning, procurement and service design.

The goal is clear: to safeguard our customers’ competitiveness by ensuring carbon-related surcharges remain transparent, justifiable and tightly controlled.

EMAIL Andrew Smith, Managing Director, today to arrange a review of your situation.