From January 1, 2025, the FuelEU Maritime regulation officially takes effect, requiring ships to reduce their “well-to-wake” greenhouse gas intensity by 2% compared to the 2020 baseline, with targets rising progressively until 2050. As a result, “green” costs—including scarce alternative fuels, compliance fees, verification expenses, and carbon-related surcharges—are now clearly reflected in the invoices issued by carriers and shippers.
FuelEU does not mandate the use of any specific fuel. Instead, it allows operators to choose the optimal combination of solutions—such as blended biofuels, LNG/bio-LNG, wind-assisted propulsion, or operational optimization—as long as the required emission intensity is achieved. In practice, on major European trade lanes, many carriers have already begun introducing separate “Green Compliance Surcharges” rather than incorporating all environmental costs into traditional bunker surcharges.
At the same time, the EU ETS for maritime shipping continues to add financial pressure. By September 30, 2025, carriers must purchase EUA allowances covering 40% of their 2024 emissions. This will rise to 70% for 2025 emissions (reported in 2026) and 100% from 2027 onward. This means shippers using services calling at EU ports will face a dual cost burden: green fuel premiums plus carbon compliance costs.
Against this backdrop, the “pooling” mechanism is viewed as a potential relief measure. In essence, pooling allows a fleet—or a group of carriers—to combine compliance scores: vessels with surplus performance (emissions below the required threshold) can compensate for vessels with deficits, as long as the system remains transparent and third-party verified. This creates flexibility for companies with large fleets or early investments in green technologies to balance risks across their operations and avoid penalties.
However, pooling is not a magic solution. Its effectiveness depends heavily on the quality of emissions data for each vessel, the contractual allocation of rights and liabilities between pool members, and the seasonal or port-specific availability of green fuels. Any disruption affecting a well-performing vessel may drag the entire pool below compliance and trigger collective penalties. Therefore, clear exit rights, “make-good” clauses, and third-party auditing are essential components of any pooling arrangement.
For international shipping contracts, shippers and carriers should consider three key elements: a transparent green surcharge formula, a well-defined carbon risk-sharing mechanism, and detailed pooling provisions. For example, green surcharges should be calculated separately based on the actual price gap between conventional and green fuels on the relevant trade lane; a “cap & collar” model can help prevent extreme price swings. A carbon risk-sharing clause should specify how FuelEU and ETS costs are allocated and whether renegotiation is triggered when EUA prices exceed a certain threshold. Pooling terms should clarify whether the pool is internal or joint, how surplus/deficit points are distributed, penalties for non-performance, data verification standards, and rights to withdraw from the pool.
For Vietnamese shippers, the implication is clear: you should prepare three cost scenarios (conservative – base – optimistic) for EU-related trade lanes, including variables such as blending ratios of green fuels, EUA price ranges, and risks of pool underperformance. Securing a portion of green fuel supply through collective procurement agreements or Green Fuel Purchase Agreements, combined with pooling, may help stabilize compliance points over a 12–24-month cycle.
In conclusion, FuelEU 2025 has transformed “green costs” from a concept into a line item on shipping invoices. The strategic balance between “buying compliance” (investing in green fuels and efficient vessels) and “creating compliance” (through pooling, surcharges, or flexible contract terms) will determine each shipper’s cost competitiveness in the coming years. Pooling is a powerful tool—but only when supported by accurate data, strong contract design, and disciplined execution. Shippers should begin preparing now by standardizing operational data, developing cost models, and negotiating clear surcharge and risk-sharing clauses to stay in control at the negotiating table.
Source: https://vlr.vn
As global supply chains navigate ongoing shifts, expanding a robust international partner network is a vital strategy for ensuring seamless cargo flows. From April 1st to 4th, 2026, Glotrans Vietnam is officially taking part in the 21st JCtrans Global Freight Forwarders Conference, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 15th WCA Worldwide Conference 2026, organized from 9 to 13 March in Singapore, successfully brought together freight forwarding and logistics companies from across the globe. Hosted in one of Asia’s leading logistics hubs, the conference attracted thousands of freight forwarders, logistics enterprises, and supply chain professionals from many countries worldwide.
Air cargo is heating up again in a very concrete way: speed is no longer just a company advantage—it is increasingly a national advantage. IATA recorded strong global air cargo growth and a record year in 2024, and in 2025 several months continued to set new highs in demand measured by CTK, suggesting this is not a short-lived surge.
After several productive days at the 21st JCtrans Global Freight Forwarders Conference held in Bangkok, Glotrans Vietnam has successfully concluded its participation, achieving valuable connections and promising cooperation opportunities.
Attending the Thanh Hoa Investment Promotion Conference 2026 for the first time, Glotrans’ representatives not only sought networking opportunities but also gained deeper insights into how Thanh Hoa is gradually repositioning its role within the regional supply chain landscape.
On the morning of March 25, 2026, Glotrans Vietnam – Hai Phong Branch organized a talkshow at the Faculty of Economics, Vietnam Maritime University under the theme “Glotrans & Career Compass.”
The shipment of food additives was transported in container No. FCIU3301688 (20’), under B/L MPRSMUM1806, on the voyage from Nhavasheva Port (India) to Dinh Vu Port (Hai Phong, Vietnam) on 29/04/2017.
Company T (Plaintiff – the Insured) entered into an insurance contract with Company B (Defendant – the Insurer). After the insured event occurred, the Insurer alleged that the Insured had violated its obligation to prevent and mitigate losses. The Arbitral Tribunal acknowledged that such an obligation exists but concluded that the Insured did not breach it.
Under the insurance contract, the premium was to be paid in three installments, and in all three, the insured party was late in payment. When a dispute arose, the insurer (Defendant) argued that the insurance contract had terminated before the insured event occurred due to the late premium payment and therefore refused to make an insurance payout. However, the Arbitral Tribunal held a contrary view.
