FuelEU Maritime in its second year: what bio-LNG suppliers need to know.

The framework

The regulation applies to ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above calling at EU ports. It limits the GHG intensity of the energy used on board relative to the 2020 reference: minus 2 percent from 2025, minus 6 percent from 2030, minus 14.5 percent from 2035 and gradually to minus 80 percent in 2050. Assessment is well-to-wake.

What practice shows

• No certification, no value: bio-LNG not certified under a recognised scheme is treated like the least favourable fossil fuel.
• Methane slip counts: without a certified measured value, a default applies, 3.1 percent for medium-speed Otto dual-fuel engines. Measurements suggest real-world slip may be higher. Raising the default would reduce the GHG benefit.
• The chain of custody across transport, liquefaction and bunkering is the critical path. An error at one point costs the claimability of the entire volume.
• Bio-LNG for shipping is excluded from the German GHG quota and is assessed under FuelEU Maritime.

What suppliers should do now

State GHG values that can carry the methane slip, even if the default should rise. Have the liquefaction plant and terminal included in the mass balance. And align certificate deadlines with the shipping company’s verification period.

How we run the chain from injection to bunkering is described on the Shipping market page. Shipping market

This article provides context and is not legal or tax advice. As of October 2026.