NorthStandard teams with BetterSea, offering discounted digital tools to help shipowners meet new FuelEU Maritime emissions targets and save costs.
Background and Significance The shipping industry is intensifying its focus on decarbonization. As global regulations tighten, maritime stakeholders seek efficient ways to track emissions and comply with new standards. Against this backdrop, NorthStandard has formed an exclusive partnership with BetterSea, a maritime digital decarbonization specialist, to provide shipping companies with discounted access to the BetterSea FuelEU Maritime Compliance platform. The collaboration aims to simplify compliance with the new FuelEU Maritime requirements that came into force on January 1, 2025.
What FuelEU Maritime Entails FuelEU Maritime introduces stricter monitoring and reporting obligations, requiring vessels to track the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) intensity of onboard energy use. The regulation sets incremental reduction targets. Failure to comply may result in financial penalties, but the legislation also allows the concept of “pooling”—a mechanism wherein fleets can collectively balance emissions above and below the regulatory threshold. By distributing overall GHG outputs among multiple vessels, companies can meet targets without deploying advanced fuels on every single ship.
Key Benefits of the Partnership Under the new deal, NorthStandard members can gain significantly discounted access to BetterSea’s suite of FuelEU services. The platform offers end-to-end data management, from real-time fuel usage monitoring to final verification of emissions reports. It also enables internal and external pooling, including the contractual and financial frameworks required for transferring compliance credits among ships. Importantly, for the first six months of reporting under the new rules, BetterSea will waive the typical transaction fees for members taking advantage of NorthStandard’s offer. Only a minimal administrative fee for setting up escrow accounts will apply.
Cost-Saving Potential To illustrate the financial benefits, NorthStandard and BetterSea presented the example of a 20,000 TEU containership consuming about 29,000 tonnes of fossil fuel annually under FuelEU’s scope. By leveraging pooling, this vessel could theoretically cut compliance costs by around 45%. When combined with the discounted transaction fees, a shipowner might save an additional €45,000—money that can be reinvested in other operational improvements or emissions-reduction technologies. For large fleets, these aggregated savings can be substantial, offering both cost efficiency and a smoother transition to cleaner maritime operations.
Technical Features of the FuelEU Platform BetterSea’s solution covers everything from data collection to final pool verification, making compliance straightforward even for companies lacking in-house expertise. It supports both “internal pooling” (where a single company manages emissions across its own vessels) and “external pooling” (collaborations between multiple owners). The platform’s integrated functionalities include legal and financial arrangements for trading emissions credits, dynamic calculations for banking and borrowing compliance allowances, and robust verification protocols. Additionally, NorthStandard members can access up to 30 hours of complimentary consultation on various decarbonization topics, ensuring they make informed decisions about operational shifts, fuel mix changes, or investment in greener technologies.
Industry Perspectives Commenting on the deal, Mark Smith, NorthStandard’s Loss Prevention Director – Decarbonisation, said, “BetterSea’s platform offers a comprehensive solution that streamlines the transition to FuelEU compliance while safeguarding sensitive data. We are confident that these exclusive savings will encourage our members to adopt an all-encompassing compliance approach.” BetterSea co-founder Maximilian Schroer—a former Maersk Group executive with extensive experience in international emissions regulations—highlighted the platform’s adaptability. “FuelEU Maritime involves multiple stakeholders, and each has unique requirements. Our software gives clients the flexibility to react promptly to operational changes and market demands, minimizing compliance costs and maximizing profits,” he noted.
Future Outlook Established in 2023 by two ex-Maersk environmental compliance experts, BetterSea is rapidly expanding its market presence. Currently, approximately 5,000 vessels are being onboarded to the FuelEU platform, forming a growing marketplace for emissions-trading. This scaling effect helps shipping companies stay informed of the latest regulatory changes and potential synergies in compliance pooling. For NorthStandard members, the partnership arrives at a critical juncture. With FuelEU Maritime legislation now in force, operators face higher stakes in meeting emissions targets. The ability to pool resources and share compliance burdens not only mitigates risk but fosters a sense of collective responsibility in reducing the maritime industry’s environmental footprint. As shipping companies worldwide grapple with increasingly strict emissions rules, digital platforms like BetterSea’s offer real-time, data-driven solutions that unify regulations and financial considerations in a single interface. By combining robust software with tailored guidance, NorthStandard and BetterSea pave the way for more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable maritime operations.
