Starting July 1, 2026, the UK Emissions Trading Scheme expands to include domestic maritime shipping. Commercial cargo and passenger vessels over 5,000 gross tonnes must buy carbon allowances for 100% of emissions on UK port-to-port voyages and while at berth. This means shipping lines will likely pass on compliance costs through ETS surcharges, adding a new layer to freight pricing alongside fuel and port fees. The article highlights transparency concerns. Research cited by freight forwarding associations suggests some carriers may charge surcharges above actual compliance costs to hedge against allowance price swings. With each line using its own calculation method, comparing surcharges is difficult. For businesses moving freight, understanding these charges is becoming as important as the base rate itself. This is a concrete example of carbon pricing embedding into supply chain costs. The UK follows the EU Maritime ETS which started in 2024, so the trend is clear. If you ship goods within UK waters or via UK ports, expect to see ETS line items on invoices. The piece is useful for anyone tracking how climate regulation hits logistics budgets.
