UK ETS Update: Maritime Operators Can Now Begin Early Onboarding

The UK Government has taken another significant step toward expanding the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS), with new guidance published for maritime operators ahead of the scheme’s 2026 launch.

On Tuesday 17 March, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) released updates to its “Participating in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)” guidance, specifically within the Maritime Operators (Onboarding) section. Most notably, this update confirms that voluntary early onboarding is now available.

What’s Changing?

The UK ETS is set to expand to include the maritime sector from 1 July 2026. This will apply to:

Vessels of 5,000 gross tonnage and above
UK domestic journeys
Emissions generated while vessels are at berth in UK ports

This marks a major shift for maritime operators, bringing them into the UK’s carbon pricing framework and introducing new compliance and cost considerations.

Early Onboarding – Why It Matters

The introduction of voluntary early onboarding provides operators with an opportunity to:

Familiarise themselves with compliance requirements ahead of the deadline
Establish internal processes for emissions monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV)
Begin planning procurement strategies for UK Allowances (UKAs)
Reduce the risk of last-minute operational or financial challenges

Early engagement will be key for organisations looking to stay ahead of regulatory pressures and manage future carbon costs effectively.

Additional Update: Offshore Installations

Alongside the maritime update, DESNZ also revised its guidance on UK ETS: Offshore installations – UN codes for trade and transport locations (UN/LOCODEs).

This update expands the list to include offshore installations across all jurisdictions that are known to have a UN/LOCODE, improving clarity and consistency for reporting and compliance purposes.

What This Means for Your Business

If your operations fall within the scope of the upcoming maritime inclusion, the introduction of UK ETS obligations will bring:

Exposure to carbon price volatility
The need for a clear UKA procurement strategy
Increased importance of forward planning and risk management

Organisations that take a proactive approach now will be far better positioned to manage both compliance and cost.

How L&C Utility Can Help

At L&C Utility, we support organisations navigating complex energy and carbon markets. If your business is set to be impacted by the inclusion of maritime emissions within the UK ETS, we can help you:

Develop a robust UKA procurement strategy
Mitigate risk associated with carbon price fluctuations
Align your energy and carbon purchasing with your wider commercial objectives

Get ahead of the changes.
If you fall within scope of the UK ETS or expect to in the near future, speak to L&C Utility today about how we can help you effectively risk manage your UKA purchases.

Organisations seeking guidance i can reach out to info@lcutility.co.uk for support.