EU MRV Explained: What Shipping Companies Need to Know in 2025

Posted on May 12, 2025 at 08:05 PM

The EU MRV regulation has been in place since 2018 to assess greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport. This year, however, the rules extended to include significant updates that demand shipping companies adapt to new requirements, particularly with expanded coverage and the inclusion of additional greenhouse gases (GHG). 

What exactly changed? Who will this new legislation impact? And how can companies and ship owners stay compliant?

Understanding EU MRV: Purpose and Scope

From the starting point, the EU MRV was established by the European Union to ensure the monitoring, reporting, and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from ships. Its mission was to support the EU's climate goals by annually collecting relevant data from shipping activities within the EEA (European Economic Area). Subsequently, Europe has updated the MRV since January 2025 to include methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) in emissions tracking.

Why Was EU MRV Introduced?

Ultimately, the EU MRV guide was founded because we needed to have transparent emissions data from the maritime industry. Before its implementation, there was a significant gap in reliable information about greenhouse gas emission levels from vessels, considering the various implications they have on our planet. Eventually, the European Commission recognized this and established EU MRV to address the issue.

One prominent change that resulted from updating EU MRV was the amount of ships it covers. The original regulation was applicable to ships over 5,000 GT engaged in commercial transport to, from, and between EEA ports. Nevertheless, the 2025 update now also applies to smaller offshore vessels (≥400 GT) and general cargo ships (400–5,000 GT). This change significantly expands the regulation's scope, bringing more shipowners under compliance obligations.

EU MRV Compliance Requirements

What's considered under the EU MRV set of rules? Let's simplify it through this guide.

Monitoring and Reporting Obligations

The M stands for monitoring, and R for reporting. Under EU MRV, ship operators are required to collect emissions data on a per-voyage basis. This scheme of recording includes:

• International Maritime Organization (IMO) number
• Fuel Consumption: Data from bunker fuel delivery notes, flow meters, or direct CO₂ measurements.
• CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O Emissions: Calculation based on the amount of fuel burned.
• Distance Travelled and Time at Sea: Essential for accurate reporting.
• Cargo Carried: Whether it's commercial cargo or passengers.
• Port Stays: Emissions recorded during berth time.

The monitoring plan must include details about how cargo shipping data is collected, entered, managed, and verified. Most importantly, companies need to update their plan regularly to renew their compliance with the latest EU MRV regulations in all of their voyages.

Verification and Annual Reporting

The submission of the monitoring plan is a critical aspect of the implementation process. Operators must submit the MP to the relevant administering authority, which varies based on the registration status of the shipping company

Accredited bodies like DNV and ClassNK are responsible for independently verifying the data. Once the data is validated, companies must submit their annual emissions report to the THETIS-MRV system by March 31st of each year. The submission must include:

• Verified data on fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.
• Information on distances travelled, time at sea, and cargo details.
• Verification documents issued by the accredited verifier.

Why is EU MRV Compliance important?

With the rise of sustainability and environmental awareness, all shipping companies need to comply with EU MRV requirements, or they'll face the following penalties:

• Denial of Port Access: Ships may be banned from EU ports.
• Financial Penalties: Significant fines for failing to submit verified reports.
• Reputational Damage: Publicly available data means stakeholders will know which companies are not compliant.

Practical Strategies for Shipping Companies

Complying with EU MRV requires determination, from getting expert knowledge through shipping training courses in London to conducting regular checks and providing valid reports. What should companies do? Here are a few things:

Create an efficient Monitoring Plan

MRV compliance starts when you monitor your data. Meaning your first step should be tailoring your monitoring plan to your fleet, incrluding:

• Data Collection Methods: Bunker fuel notes, flow meters, or direct emissions monitoring.
• Verification Procedures: Collaborate with accredited verifiers for accuracy.
• Record-Keeping: Maintain comprehensive records for at least 5 years.

Regular training for crew members on monitoring procedures ensures data integrity. Conduct periodic internal audits to verify that procedures are being followed correctly.

Aligning EU MRV with ETS Requirements

Since the EU ETS now incorporates maritime emissions data, companies must integrate both systems. Use the EU MRV data to calculate carbon credits, reducing administrative burdens. 

Avoiding Compliance Mistakes

Data is complicated, and most of the times, data monitoring results in a lot of inaccuracies due to human error. Having automated data collection processes may be your chance to bypass this flaw. Additionally, choose reliable verifiers like DNV or ClassNK to make sure your data meets regulatory standards.

One final thought

Let's end on a fruit for thought: EU MRV compliance exists as a declaration of commitment to environmental stewardship. Moreover, shipping companies that proactively implement monitoring and verification systems will be better prepared for future regulations.

Don't you want to be at the forefront of environmental entrepreneurship? Start implementing MRV newest standards today.