Why Pooling Has Become the New Normal for Shipping Companies

The introduction of FuelEU Maritime has changed the game, and the green transition of the maritime sector is gathering pace.

Since 2025, the European Union’s FuelEU Maritime Regulation has required shipping companies to gradually reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of the energy used by their vessels. The requirements will become progressively stricter until 2050, when the target is an 80% reduction compared with the reference level defined in the regulation.

For shipping companies, this means making new decisions regarding fuel choices, related investments and regulatory compliance.

However, not all solutions need to be implemented at once. One of the key flexibility mechanisms included in FuelEU Maritime is pooling, which quickly emerged as a widely used tool during the very first year of the regulation.

To understand pooling’s growing role in FuelEU Maritime compliance, it is useful to examine its practical application, the reasons for its rapid adoption, and the contribution of Bio-LNG. 

Pooling Brings Flexibility to Emissions Reductions

FuelEU Maritime sets targets for reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of the energy used by vessels. In practice, shipping companies can meet these requirements by switching to lower-emission fuels or by making use of the flexibility mechanisms provided by the regulation.

The most significant of these mechanisms is pooling. “If a vessel reduces its emissions beyond what is required under its own obligations, that surplus can be used to support vessels that would not otherwise achieve the target. In practice, this is about sharing emissions reductions across multiple vessels,” explains Risto Kariranta, Chief Executive Officer of pooling operator Ahti Climate.

Pooling is not merely an administrative arrangement. An entire market has emerged around it, allowing vessels that generate emissions reductions to receive financial compensation for the compliance surplus they create.

The New Market Gained Traction Quickly

FuelEU Maritime entered into force in 2025, and the first year alone demonstrated the market’s need for pooling.

“Around 90% of vessels covered by the regulation utilised pooling during the first year,” says Kariranta.

The figure highlights the strong demand for pooling services.

Most shipping companies recognise the obligations introduced by the regulation, but renewing an entire fleet does not happen overnight. New vessels, alternative fuels and the investments associated with them all require time.

Pooling provides a cost-effective way to manage the transition while longer-term investment decisions are being planned.

Pooling Does Not Replace Long-Term Planning

While pooling offers flexibility, shipping companies still need to define their own fuel and investment strategies. As regulations evolve, operators must take a more detailed view of their fuel choices, cost structures and relationships with charterers.

In many cases, vessels operate under long-term charter agreements in which fuel costs and compliance-related expenses are transferred partly or entirely to the vessel’s charterer. As a result, responsibilities, costs and potential benefits must be clearly agreed between all parties involved.

At the same time, the importance of reporting continues to grow.

“The better a company can anticipate its compliance position during the year, the more effectively it can prepare for it. Building and managing pools relies on continuous monitoring and reporting,” Kariranta notes.

Bio-LNG Has Delivered Significant Emissions Reductions

One of the most significant developments within the pooling market has been the role of Bio-LNG in generating emissions reductions.

According to Joel Unha, Head of Sales at Rohe Solutions, demand for Bio-LNG in shipping has increased significantly as a result of both FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System.

“Bio-LNG provides a rapid way to reduce emissions as the technology is already available and the fuel is fully compatible with existing LNG-fuelled vessels,” says Unha.

From a pooling perspective, one of Bio-LNG’s greatest strengths is its exceptionally low greenhouse gas intensity. Depending on the production pathway, its emissions factor can even be negative, enabling substantial emissions reductions and the generation of valuable compliance surplus for pooling arrangements.

At the same time, Bio-LNG allows many shipping companies to reduce emissions using their existing vessels without requiring modifications to onboard fuel systems.

Bio-LNG is not the only solution available. Shipping companies continuously assess different fuel options, their availability, costs and impact on regulatory compliance. Alternative fuels are gradually replacing heavy fuel oil, marine diesel and other fossil marine fuels. In addition to Bio-LNG, potential solutions include liquid biofuels, methanol and ammonia.

A Rapidly Evolving Market

Although the regulatory objectives extend over decades, market conditions can change rapidly.

In recent years, for example, geopolitical developments in energy markets have affected the price of fossil fuels and, consequently, the competitiveness of different low-emission solutions.

“Last year, Bio-LNG was an exceptionally strong solution from a pooling perspective. This year, market conditions have changed, and other options have become more prominent. That demonstrates how quickly the market can respond to changing circumstances,” says Kariranta.

Pooling Supports the Maritime Sector’s Long-Term Transition

FuelEU Maritime stretches far into the future. By 2050, emissions reduction requirements will be substantially more demanding than they are today.

This means the shipping industry will see an increasing number of new fuel solutions, new vessel types and investments designed specifically for low-emission operations.

The transition, however, will not happen overnight. Vessels can remain in service for more than 20 years, meaning today’s fleet will be renewed gradually over time.

“Pooling is essentially a transition tool. It helps smooth the journey towards a lower-emission fleet while vessels are renewed in line with their natural lifecycle,” Kariranta explains.

This is precisely why pooling has become such an important component of the maritime sector’s green transition. It gives shipping companies time, flexibility and the opportunity to implement emissions reductions in a controlled manner as part of a long-term business strategy.

Expert Contributors

Rohe Solutions and Ahti Climate provide complementary services that help the maritime sector reduce emissions and comply with FuelEU Maritime requirements. Rohe supplies LNG and Bio-LNG to support shipping companies’ evolving fuel needs, while Ahti Climate operates FuelEU Maritime pooling arrangements and helps shipowners utilise pooling as part of their compliance strategy.