The pooling mechanism under FuelEU Maritime saw widespread use during the regulation’s first compliance cycle, with around 90% of vessels reportedly relying on it, according to consultancy Kickster, as reported by Ship & Bunker.
Kickster released the figures alongside an independent assessment of vessel readiness for FuelEU Maritime, based on publicly available EU emissions data. The company shared its findings in an emailed statement issued Thursday, according to Ship & Bunker.
What is FuelEU Pooling?
FuelEU Maritime, which came into effect in 2025, sets limits on the carbon intensity of marine fuels used by ships. The regulation includes a pooling provision, allowing vessels with a surplus in compliance to offset deficits recorded by other vessels, according to Ship & Bunker.
Verification Figures From EU Bodies
Citing data from the European Commission and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), Ship & Bunker reports that more than 13,000 FuelEU reports were verified between January and March 2026. By the end of April, over 12,000 compliance balance reports—representing more than 90% of the fleet—had been verified as satisfactory.
Kickster’s Independent Analysis
Separately, Kickster examined data from 8,973 vessels listed in the EU’s Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) database, after filtering out incomplete records and statistical outliers, according to Ship & Bunker. The analysis found that 40.3% of the vessels reviewed fell into an estimated compliance surplus category, while 19.2% were close to balance.
Kickster emphasized that its assessment is intended as a benchmarking tool and should not be treated as an official FuelEU compliance determination, Ship & Bunker reports.
Does This Matter to You?
These figures offer an early signal of how the shipping industry is adapting to FuelEU Maritime’s carbon intensity requirements. For vessel operators and compliance teams tracking their fleet’s regulatory standing, the high uptake of pooling suggests it has become a central mechanism for managing compliance obligations across fleets rather than on a vessel-by-vessel basis.
The verification data from the European Commission and EMSA also provides a benchmark for understanding fleet-wide compliance rates during the regulation’s inaugural cycle. Parties involved in bunker fuel procurement, chartering, or emissions reporting may find Kickster’s independent assessment useful as a supplementary reference point, though the company itself has cautioned it is not an official compliance measure.
The source material does not detail further implications for fuel pricing, future compliance cycles, or regulatory adjustments, so any broader impact beyond what is reported here remains unclear.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
