Shipping Emissions Trading Scheme to be Enforced by Turkey

Shipowners looking to evade new environmental regulations by shifting operations to Europe’s eastern edge will need to reconsider their plans.

Turkish politicians are moving forward with their own emissions trading scheme (ETS) for the shipping industry, which will closely align with the European Union's recently introduced ETS. This new policy is currently awaiting ratification from the country's president.

This year, Turkish ports, along with those in North Africa, have experienced increased traffic as shipping lines sought alternatives to mitigate the impact of the EU's ETS.

The EU's ETS is route-based, covering 100% of CO2 emissions from ships traveling between ports within EU member states and while they are docked or maneuvering within EU ports. Starting in 2026, the scheme will also include methane and nitrous oxide emissions.

Additionally, the EU ETS applies to 50% of emissions from ships on voyages from an EU port to a non-EU port and vice versa.