As the first compliance cycle under the EU’s FuelEU Maritime Regulation approaches completion at the end of April, early market data indicates a rapid evolution in compliance strategies and pricing dynamics.
FuelEU Maritime, introduced in 2025, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by limiting the carbon intensity of energy used by vessels operating in European waters. Among its flexibility mechanisms, pooling has emerged as a key tool for managing compliance costs.

Pooling allows vessels that outperform emissions targets to generate surplus compliance units, which can be transferred to other vessels within a pool creating a market-driven mechanism to optimize compliance. Recent market activity shows a significant decline in pooling prices, alongside growing participation and transparency.

“Pooling has quickly become one of the most cost-effective compliance options” said Pietro Valaguzza, CEO of KICKSTER GROUP. “Prices have dropped from above €400 per tonne in early 2025 to around €170 per tonne today, reflecting increased market maturity and verified data availability through THETIS- MRV. Since launching the KICKSTER FuelEU Marketplace in March 2026, we’ve seen strong growth in participation, driven by improved price visibility and simplified access to pooling”.

The decline in prices is enabling later market entrants to hedge compliance costs more efficiently, while increased transparency is reducing perceived complexity and risk.
In parallel, shipowners continue to evaluate alternative compliance strategies, including the use of biofuels. However, uncertainty remains around long-term fuel standardization, with LNG, methane, and ammonia all considered viable options at scale, while hydrogen and nuclear are expected to remain niche.

KICKSTER reports that market participants are increasingly adopting a long-term strategic approach to FuelEU compliance. In response, the company is developing standardized contracts, integrating clearing mechanisms, and enhancing transaction security within its marketplace.