As Fuel EU Maritime regulations come into force, EmissionLink, a member of the Columbia Group, aims to assist shipowners in taking control of their compliance strategy through accurate emissions tracking, AI-powered insights, and stakeholder-aligned data management.
While financial penalties under FuelEU will only begin in 2026, emissions data collection officially started on January 1, 2025—making data accuracy essential from day one.
With over 400 vessels already supported, EmissionLink says it has played a central role in assisting shipowners with the development and submission of FuelEU monitoring plans. Now, as the industry enters a new phase of regulatory enforcement, EmissionLink is offering clients with tools needed to meet compliance requirements while improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.
According to recent industry research, while 80% of shipowners see digital tools as essential for emissions tracking, fewer than half have fully implemented them—and many still lack the validation and analytics needed to ensure their data is reliable. EmissionLink aims to address this gap with an AI-driven, platform-agnostic system that reviews emissions data in near real-time, offering predictive insights that enable smarter decision-making. EmissionLink believes that ships using these capabilities can reduce emissions by 5–8%, delivering measurable fuel and cost savings over time.
Philippos Ioulianou, Columbia Group Director of Energy and Renewables, said: “Accurate data is no longer a back-office function—it’s a strategic asset. At EmissionLink, we’re focused on helping clients navigate the complexities of FuelEU with clarity and confidence. Our goal is to take the guesswork out of compliance, and support smarter, faster decisions that translate directly into cost savings and competitive advantage.”
While EmissionLink does not offer technical retrofit or alternative fuel services, its strength is said to lie in enabling shipowners and operators to manage regulatory complexity through clean data, streamlined reporting, offset operational challenges and multi-stakeholder coordination. This includes ensuring transparency between charterers, owners, and managers—key for fair settlements and audit-ready compliance documentation.
The upcoming launch of EmissionLink’s pooling arrangement will further expand its strategic offering, giving clients options and flexibility in meeting GHG intensity targets under FuelEU and optimise their operations. Until then, the company continues to support the industry through its data management, monitoring, and reporting solutions.
Image: Philippos Ioulianou, Columbia Group Director of Energy and Renewables (source: Columbia Group)
