Emissions Reports for EU MRV and EU ETS
EU MRV and EU ETS emissions reporting is a mandatory annual requirement for ships operating in EU waters. This reporting includes data on fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and the operational performance of vessels.
Normec Verifavia supports shipping companies and maritime operators with independent verification of emissions data. Our experts review reports for accuracy and regulatory compliance and guide organizations through correct submission via THETIS-MRV.
With our verification services, you reduce administrative burden, minimize the risk of non-compliance, and ensure your organization meets increasingly stringent European maritime regulations.
Scope and Reporting Obligations
The EU MRV and EU ETS framework applies to all ships above 5,000 gross tonnage (GT) calling at EU ports, regardless of flag state, country of registration, or home port.
Exceptions include, among others:
• Warships and naval vessels
• Fishing and fish-processing vessels
• Wooden ships of primitive construction
• Ships without mechanical propulsion
• Government vessels not used for commercial purposes
Reporting obligations include:
• Fuel consumption
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Distance travelled
• Time at sea
• Cargo data
• Transport work
• Average energy efficiency
These obligations apply to:
• Voyages to and from EU or EEA ports
• Voyages between EU or EEA ports
• Time spent at berth in port
Independent Verification of Emissions Reports
Our verification services provide several benefits for shipping companies and maritime operators:
• Compliance with EU MRV and EU ETS requirements
• Avoidance of penalties and reporting delays
• Assurance of the accuracy of emissions data
• Simplification of the reporting process
• Increased transparency towards authorities and stakeholders
Normec Verifavia verifies, among others:
Monitoring plans
Assessment of monitoring methods for fuel consumption and emissions
Emissions data
Analysis of reported data and calculations
Reports
Review of annual emissions reports and company reports
Regulatory compliance
Verification in accordance with EU MRV and EU ETS requirements
Annual Emissions Reporting
From 2025 onwards, companies must submit a verified emissions report annually for each ship.
These reports must:
• Cover the full reporting year
• Be submitted before 31 March
• Be independently verified by an accredited verification body such as Normec Verifavia
• Be submitted via THETIS-MRV
Partial Emissions Reporting
When a ship changes owner or operator, the previous operator must prepare a partial emissions report.
This report includes the same parameters as an annual emissions report, but only for the period during which the ship was under the responsibility of the previous operator.
The verified report must then be submitted to:
• The new operator
• The flag state
• The competent authority via THETIS-MRV
Company-Level Emissions Reporting
In addition to ship-specific reports, companies must also prepare a Company Emissions Report.
This report consolidates emissions data across the entire fleet. Normec Verifavia verifies this report before the company submits the data via the Maritime Operator Holding Account (MOHA).
After submission, Normec Verifavia re-checks the data to confirm that the reported figures match the verified data and comply with the requirements of the competent authority.
The EU ETS compliance cycle consists of several steps:
- Verification of emissions reports per ship
- Consolidation of these data into a Company Emissions Report
- Submission of the report to the competent authority before 31 March
- Surrender of emission allowances before 30 September
Failure to comply may result in a penalty of €100 per tonne of CO₂. In severe cases, this may lead to a ban on ships operating in EU ports.
Normec Verifavia's Expertise
Normec Verifavia has extensive experience in emissions verification within the maritime sector.
Independent verification
Our verifications are objective, transparent, and fully compliant with European regulations
Specialist knowledge of maritime regulations
Our experts continuously monitor developments within EU ETS and other maritime regulations
Practical support
We work closely with your team to ensure reporting is accurate and timely
Single point of contact for emissions verification
Normec Verifavia provides verification services for multiple schemes, including EU ETS, EU MRV, IMO DCS, and CII
Curious how we can support you?
Process
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1.
Initiation
Contact our team to discuss your verification needs and receive a tailored proposal.
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2.
Data collection
You provide monitoring plans, emissions reports, and supporting documentation.
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3.
Verification and analysis
Our experts assess ship and company reports for compliance with EU MRV and EU ETS regulations.
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4.
Completion of verification
After successful verification, you receive a verification report and a Document of Compliance (DoC) via the THETIS platform.
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5.
MOHA validation
Finally, we verify emissions data in the MOHA account before emission allowances are surrendered.
Frequently Asked Questions
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EU MRV stands for Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification of greenhouse gas emissions from ships calling at EU ports.
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The EU Emissions Trading System requires shipping companies to surrender emission allowances for their verified CO₂ emissions.
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All ships above 5,000 GT calling at EU ports fall under the regulation, with some exceptions such as fishing vessels and warships.
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Companies must submit a verified emissions report annually before 31 March.
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The previous operator must prepare a partial emissions report covering the period under their responsibility.
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Non-compliance may result in a penalty of €100 per tonne of CO₂ and possible denial of access to EU ports.
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THETIS-MRV is the European Commission's digital platform for submitting and managing maritime emissions reports.
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Based on the approved monitoring plan, companies must monitor the following data for each ship calling at or departing from an EU port:
- Port of departure and port of arrival, including date and time
- Fuel consumption per fuel type and corresponding emission factors
- Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- Distance travelled
- Time at sea
- Cargo carried
- Transport workWhere applicable, additional information may be monitored, such as ice class and navigation through ice.
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- 31 March 2025: Submission of verified emissions reports and company data
- 1 April 2025: Entry of emissions data into the Union Registry
- 30 September 2025: Surrender of EU ETS allowances (40% of 2024 emissions)
- Ongoing: Monitoring according to the approved monitoring plan and annual verification -
- Financial penalties of €100 per tonne of CO₂ equivalent
- Possible operational restrictions for ships in EU waters
- Mandatory corrective measures and accelerated compliance procedures -
Ice-class ships
Ships with Ice-Class IA, IA Super, or equivalent certification receive a 5% reduction in their annual ETS obligation.Exclusion of certain transshipment ports
Ports outside the EU that:
- Are within 300 nautical miles of the EU
- Have more than 65% container transshipment traffic
- Do not apply equivalent ETS measuresAre excluded from the definition of "port of call."
Currently included ports:
- East Port Said (Egypt)
- Tangier Med (Morocco)Next review: October - December 2025
Exemption for outermost regions (OMRs)
Voyages between an EU outermost region and a port in the same Member State are exempt from ETS obligations.Examples include:
- Canary Islands (Spain)
- Azores and Madeira (Portugal)
- Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, Mayotte, French Guiana, and Saint Martin (France)Exemption for small islands
Passenger and Ro-Pax ships operating under a public service obligation may be exempt until December 31, 2030 for voyages between:
- Small islands (no road/rail connection and fewer than 200,000 inhabitants)
- Mainland portsMember States determine eligible islands, with an official list published by the European Commission.