Greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands surged by 7% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to preliminary figures from Statistics Netherlands  and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment. The spike, driven by increased fossil-fuel electricity generation and a rise in CO2 emissions from both aviation and maritime transport, has reignited concerns about the maritime sector’s growing climate impact. For ports, the timing is critical, as new EU Emissions Trading System rules place them under mounting pressure to track, report, and ultimately reduce their environmental footprint.

In response to these mounting pressures, PortXchange is experiencing a marked increase in demand for EmissionInsider, its real-time emissions intelligence platform specifically designed for ports. This surge in adoption reflects the growing urgency across Europe’s port community to accurately monitor, report, and reduce the carbon footprint of their operations, particularly their Scope 3 emissions, which come from vessel activity, terminal operations, and hinterland logistics.

Since January 2025, the EU ETS has required shipping companies to account for 70% of their carbon emissions from large vessels calling at EU ports. By 2026, this coverage is expected to reach 100% and will also encompass methane and nitrous oxide. Additionally, the FuelEU Maritime regulation now requires all ships exceeding 5,000 gross tonnes to calculate and report the greenhouse gas intensity of their energy consumption.

For ports, this means the era of indirect accountability is over. Accurate emissions data is no longer a ‘nice to have’; it’s a regulatory necessity. EmissionInsider is stepping into that gap, giving port authorities and operators access to verified, granular data across vessel operations, cargo handling and intermodal connections. The platform has been designed in full alignment with the GHG Protocol and is already being used by several major ports to prepare their EU ETS reports, plan carbon-reduction strategies, and communicate progress to stakeholders and investors.

“2025 is a watershed moment for the maritime sector,” said Sjoerd de Jager, CEO of PortXchange. “With the EU ETS now capturing the true cost of emissions, ports are under growing pressure to act, not only to remain compliant but to lead the decarbonisation of maritime logistics. EmissionInsider is enabling that leadership.”

As regulatory scrutiny intensifies and ESG expectations become more embedded in port operations and investment decisions, EmissionInsider is rapidly emerging as the platform of choice for ports that are serious about sustainability. Purpose-built with the operational complexities of ports in mind, it equips port authorities, operators, stakeholders, and decision-makers with the emissions intelligence they need to plan strategically and invest with confidence. From calculating carbon footprints and pinpointing high-impact reduction opportunities to benchmarking progress and supporting climate-aligned capital allocation, EmissionInsider turns emissions data into actionable insights at both boardroom and operational levels.

PortXchange continues to expand its Just-In-Time (JIT) port call optimisation services, designed to reduce emissions and delays from vessels waiting at anchor through its Synchronizer solution, which facilitates real-time data sharing among shipping lines, terminals, and service providers, enabling more accurate arrival planning and coordinated port calls, thereby improving efficiency across the maritime supply chain. It is the strategic adoption of EmissionInsider that is driving real momentum in 2025. With CO2 emissions from aviation and maritime transport continuing to rise, as highlighted by the report, ports that can quantify and manage their Scope 3 emissions are not only meeting regulatory obligations, but they are also helping define the industry’s climate response.

With the next EU ETS reporting and allowance submission deadline approaching in September 2025, the urgency is clear. Ports that act now will not only stay ahead of compliance demands but also position themselves as environmental leaders in a sector facing increasing scrutiny from regulators, financiers and the public.

“Ports aren’t just asking whether they need a platform like EmissionInsider,” de Jager added. “They’re asking how fast they can implement it and how quickly they can translate emissions data into meaningful action.”