Why you should care about the EU MRV regulation

The view and smell of life at sea provide a feeling of freedom, right? On paper though, the experience is different, because new and expanding EU regulations will soon also apply to small and medium vessel owners and operators. Navigating these rules might seem complex, but the right tools can make it straightforward and even beneficial. Get to know which regulations currently apply to your business, and how we can help you to stay compliant and optimize your operations.

Since its inception in 2017, the EU Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) regulation has primarily targeted large cargo and passenger ships above 5,000 gross tonnage (GT) operating in European Economic Area (EEA) waters. As a result, owners and operators of larger vessels are already required to monitor and report their CO2 emissions, ensuring transparency and accountability in their environmental impact. 

However, as the maritime industry intensifies its efforts to combat climate change, the scope of these regulations is expanding. By 2025, smaller vessels, including general cargo and offshore ships above 400 GT, will also be required to comply with the EU MRV regulation.

If you operate a ship below 5,000 GT, you might be wondering why this matters to you. Here's why you should care and how Green Maritime can make compliance not only manageable but beneficial for your business.

The expanding scope of EU regulations

The upcoming regulation changes mean that by 2025, owners and operators of smaller vessels will need to monitor and report their greenhouse gas emissions. The scope of monitoring has widened as well. From 2024, the EU MRV regulation will include new gases, such as nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4), adding to the complexity of compliance. This expansion is part of a broader EU strategy to reduce the carbon footprint of all maritime activities.

For small and mid-sized operators, this new requirement might seem daunting. The process involves tracking fuel usage, monitoring emissions, and submitting very accurate reports to EU authorities—tasks that can be time-consuming and technically challenging without the right tools. This is where we can take the rudder for you.

The cost of non-compliance

Failure to comply with these regulations is not an option. The penalties for non-compliance are serious: 100 euros per ton of CO2 emitted over the allowed limit, and repeated violations could even lead to a ban on your vessels entering EU ports. Ouch! The financial and operational risks are significant, especially for smaller operators with tighter margins and less administrative capacity.

But the good news is that compliance doesn’t have to be a burden. With Green Maritime, you can automate the entire process, ensuring your operations are always in line with the latest regulations.

How Green Maritime simplifies compliance

At Green Maritime, we understand the challenges faced by small and medium-sized operators. That's why we've developed digital solutions tailored to your needs, making it easy to monitor, report, and reduce your ship's emissions.

Creating MRV Monitoringsplan

A Monitoring Plan for MRV must be developed by shipowners for each vessel, detailing how the ship monitors its greenhouse gas emissions. Our software module generates a unique plan for each ship, including the necessary procedures. The verifier, responsible for approving all plans worldwide, has approved our module along with the monitoring plan.

Automated Data Collection

The MRV regulations require tracking greenhouse gas emissions and reporting them in various ways on the European THETIS platform. Our hardware module collects primary and secondary MRV data streams. We gather this data over a period of time to generate reports that comply with the legal requirements of the MRV regulations, which can be uploaded to the THETIS platform.

Regulation Compliance

We stay on top of the latest EU MRV and EU ETS regulations, so you don’t have to. Our system is regularly updated to ensure that your reports are always compliant, saving you from potential penalties.

Cost-Effective Solutions

By automating compliance tasks, Green Maritime helps you avoid costs associated with penalties, legal fees, and the administrative burden of manual reporting.

Preparing for 2025 and beyond

The deadline for the first Company EU MRV Emission Report submission is 31 March 2025. With the inclusion of smaller vessels in the EU MRV regulation, now is the time to start preparing. Green Maritime’s solutions are designed to help you meet these deadlines with ease, ensuring that your fleet remains compliant as regulations evolve.

Turn compliance into an advantage!

While the expanding scope of the EU MRV regulation may seem like an additional burden, it also presents an opportunity. By embracing digital solutions like Green Maritime, you turn compliance into a competitive advantage. Not only will you avoid penalties and ensure uninterrupted access to EU ports, but you’ll also be able to optimize your operations, reduce fuel consumption, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Don’t wait until the last minute. Start your compliance journey today with Green Maritime and ensure that your business is ready for 2025 and beyond.

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