Tag

ETS

May 08
Love3

Finnlines Reports Stable Q1 Despite Fuel And ETS Pressure

By 2026 Newsletter week 19

Finnlines reported stable first-quarter results despite higher fuel costs and the full implementation of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).

Revenue for January–March 2026 increased to EUR 176.9 million, compared with EUR 166.0 million in the same period last year.

EBIT reached EUR 10.3 million, down slightly from EUR 11.2 million in Q1 2025. Earnings before taxes improved marginally to EUR 8.0 million from EUR 7.9 million, supported by lower financing costs.

Cargo volumes during the quarter included:

  • Approximately 196,000 cargo units
  • 19,000 cars
  • 297,000 tonnes of non-unitised freight

In addition, 162,000 passengers and professional drivers travelled on Finnlines services.

President and CEO Thomas Doepel said the first quarter was marked by “structural volatility” across the shipping sector.

He highlighted the impact of the Middle East conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which triggered major fuel price increases and volatility. Finnlines said the delayed adjustment of its Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) negatively affected short-term profitability.

The company also pointed to the impact of the EU ETS, which from 1 January 2026 requires shipping companies to cover 100% of emissions.

Despite geopolitical uncertainty, Finnlines said it remains committed to maintaining reliable maritime logistics infrastructure for Europe and supporting security of supply in the Baltic Sea region.

The company added that continued investment in more energy-efficient vessels will help reduce emissions and limit exposure to rising energy costs.

Click here to access the report

Dec 02
Love0

EU agrees preliminary ETS deal for shipping

By 2022 Newsletter week 48

The European Parliament, the Council of Ministers represented by the Czech Presidency and the European Commission agreed preliminarily on the conditions on how to include maritime emissions in the EU ETS during the so-called trilogue on Tuesday 29 November.

As proposed by the Commission, not only trips inside the EU but also trips from EU ports to third countries and for third countries to EU ports (50%) will be included.

European shipowners welcome the outcome of yesterday’s trilogue negotiation and the provisional agreement on the EU ETS maritime. The Parliament and the Council have embraced the calls of the industry stakeholders to earmark  EU ETS revenues back to the maritime sector to support its energy transition.

At least 20 million ETS allowances, which correspond to 1.5 billion EUR under the current ETS carbon price, will be allocated to maritime projects under the Innovation Fund.

The provisional agreement on shipping is subject to an overall agreement on the ETS revision in late December.

Jun 30
Love0

Europe’s ports welcome the EP adoption of a maritime ETS that addresses the issue of carbon and business leakage

By 2022 Newsletter week 26

On 22 June the European Parliament adopted its position on the EU Emission Trading System (EU ETS), which includes an expansion of the ETS to include shipping emissions. ESPO welcomes the EP position that outlines an ambitious and robust ETS that includes measures to address, and if possible, avoid carbon and business leakage. ESPO also welcomes that the EP position includes earmarking of revenues for investments in ports and maritime.

In order for a regional ETS in the EU to be effective and aligned with the polluter pays principle, carbon leakage through rerouting of ships outside of the ETS scope must be avoided at all costs. If this is not addressed in the final legislation, the ETS would fail to effectively reduce emissions from ships whilst also producing a negative impact on the European port business.

European ports therefore strongly support the measures adopted by European Parliament making it less attractive for ships to change their routes, divert calls, or engage in other evasive behaviours in order to avoid paying into the EU ETS.

ESPO believes that the EP position provides a good basis to address carbon and business leakage in the ETS. The preventative measures included in the EP position should be included in the final ETS to be agreed between European Parliament and EU Member States.