FuelEU Maritime is another measure complementing the EU ETS system to achieve climate targets. Unlike the other measures, the FuelEU Maritime regulation focuses on types of energy used on board and looks at life cycle emissions, aiming to boost the use of alternative fuels and innovative technologies. Flexibility mechanisms such as pooling, borrowing and banking differentiate the regulation from the EU ETS / EU MRV scheme.

In essence, the EU ETS regulates emissions through a cap-and-trade system, the EU MRV ensures accurate emissions reporting for ships, and FuelEU Maritime promotes cleaner fuel usage in the maritime sector with added flexibility mechanisms to support compliance.