We are now roughly 3 months away from the implementation of the carbon taxation (ETS) in the European Union kicking in. Everyone agrees that this will be a high cost, although there is significant uncertainty as to the precise cost. Presently, only two carriers have in recent weeks announced indications of these coming surcharges: Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd.

There are many methodological problems in how to calculate the cost of ETS per container, given how the EU regulators have deemed to define the ETS, and because of challenges on how to allocate that at a per-TEU level. Furthermore, carriers are by law prevented from agreeing on a common surcharge formula, which will result in misalignment between carriers.

The new data presented by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are only preliminary indications, as they will only file firm data a month prior to implementation. On top of that, the emissions made in 2024 will have to be accounted and paid for in September 2025. Yet to cover the cost in September 2025, the carrier will have to charge a premium, with no knowledge as to what the actual cost will be in September 2025.

It is no surprise that there are very large differences in the ETS surcharge across the two carriers. Even by looking at their relative levels, there is no pattern emerging, as for the North Europe trade, even on a roundtrip basis, Hapag-Lloyd is indicating an ETS surcharge quite a bit lower than Maersk, whereas for the Mediterranean trade, it is the reverse.

We are in no way bashing the two carriers; they should be lauded for at least providing the beginning of cost transparency of the ETS. What it illustrates is that it will be incredibly difficult for shippers to get a good overview of this upcoming ETS cost.

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 All quotes can be attributed to: Alan Murphy, CEO, Sea-Intelligence.
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