What is UK MRV and why is verification necessary?
Following Brexit, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union. As a result, the EU MRV Regulation (EU) 2015/757 has not applied to ships calling at British ports since January 1, 2021.
Consequently, the United Kingdom has introduced its own system: UK MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification). This system governs the monitoring and reporting of CO₂ emissions from maritime transport for ships calling at UK ports. The first monitoring period under UK MRV began on January 1, 2022.
As with EU MRV, shipowners must have their emissions data verified by an independent and accredited verifier before submitting their reports to the competent authority.
Scope of UK MRV for Shipping
The UK MRV regulations apply to ships of more than 5,000 gross tons (GT) with respect to CO₂ emissions released during:
- Voyages from the last port to a port in the United Kingdom
- Voyages from a UK port to the next port
- Emissions generated within UK ports
To avoid double reporting, voyages between UK ports and ports in the European Economic Area (EEA) do not need to be reported under UK MRV. This data remains subject to the EU MRV regime.
Under current regulations, emissions must be reported for:
- Voyages between two UK ports
- Voyages between a UK port and a port outside the EEA
- Emissions generated in a UK port or while a ship is berthed
Voyages between a UK port and a port in a UK Overseas Territory or Crown Dependency must also be monitored and reported, such as:
- Falkland Islands
- Gibraltar
- Isle of Man
- Jersey
However, ports in these territories are not considered British ports under the UK MRV. Voyages between two of these territories—for example, Jersey and Guernsey—are therefore not subject to the reporting requirement.
How the UK ETS Will Apply to Maritime Emissions Starting in July 2026
The UK ETS Maritime Interim Authority Response confirms that maritime emissions will be included in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) starting July 1, 2026. The first compliance period runs from July 1 through December 31, 2026, after which the system will align with the calendar year.
Emissions covered by the scheme include:
- Domestic voyages between UK ports
- Emissions when a vessel is berthed in a UK port
In addition to CO₂, methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are also included, expressed as CO₂ equivalents. Non-commercial maritime activities carried out by the government remain exempt from this scheme.
The directive also sets out clear Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) requirements. It stipulates that the Registered Owner is responsible for compliance, unless the ISM Company formally assumes this role.
Read the full article for more information about the UK ETS system for the maritime sector.
Our Approach
Normec Verifavia supports shipowners and operators in verifying their UK MRV Emissions Reports in accordance with applicable UK regulations.
Our services include, among other things:
- Review of emissions reports and monitoring methodologies
- Verification of data completeness, accuracy, and consistency
- Verification in accordance with UK MRV regulations and the Merchant Shipping amendments (2023)
- Assistance in identifying and correcting potential discrepancies
Normec Verifavia’s Expertise
Normec Verifavia is a globally recognized independent verification body for maritime emissions. We support shipowners in complying with, among other things:
- UK MRV
- EU MRV
- IMO DCS
- EU ETS
- FuelEU Maritime
- CII and SEEMP
Thanks to our international accreditations and extensive experience, we can perform efficient and reliable verifications for shipowners worldwide.
The Benefits of UK MRV Verification
An independent verification of emissions reports offers multiple benefits for shipowners and operators:
- You comply with UK MRV regulations for emissions reporting
- You minimize compliance risks and potential penalties
- You prevent errors or inconsistencies in emissions data
- You enhance transparency toward authorities and stakeholders
- You optimize reporting processes and data quality
Would you like to learn more about UK MRV?
Frequently Asked Questions
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UK MRV applies to ships over 5,000 GT that generate CO₂ emissions while traveling to or from UK ports.
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No. Trips between EEA ports and UK ports will remain under the EU MRV regime to avoid double reporting.
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The first monitoring period began on January 1, 2022.
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Emission reports should be verified by an independent and accredited verifier, such as Normec Verifavia.
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Maritime emissions will be included in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS)from July 1, 2026. The scheme will apply, among other things, to domestic voyages between UK ports and emissions generated when ships are berthed in UK ports.
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No. Travel between two Crown Dependencies or Overseas Territories - for example, between Jersey and Guernsey - is not included in UK MRV.
Travel from a port in an Overseas Territory or Crown Dependency to a non-UK port is also not required to be reported under UK MRV.
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The UK MRV emissions report must be submitted annually by April 30 for the previous calendar year's emissions data.
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Although the EU MRV and UK MRV systems are similar, there are some important differences in regulations and reporting requirements. Therefore, we recommend that you have your existing EU MRV Monitoring Plan reviewed to ensure full compliance with UK MRV regulations.
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The digital reporting environment for UK MRV is expected to be available in 2025. Until then, operators are recommended to have their emissions data verified annually to ensure regulatory compliance.