The new FuelEU Maritime regulation is putting pressure on the maritime sector to reduce CO₂ emissions. This whitepaper explains how industrial packaging can serve as a direct lever to cut Scope 3 emissions while saving costs across the logistics chain. Discover concrete strategies and real-world cases that show how efficient packaging contributes to a more sustainable and future-proof supply chain.
Summary of this article
From 2025, the new FuelEU Maritime regulation will come into force, with the aim of drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions in shipping. This development is prompting the maritime sector to accelerate decarbonisation and also has implications for companies that transport goods. Many transporters and manufacturing companies consider their transport-related emissions to be part of Scope 3 emissions – the indirect emissions in the value chain outside their own direct activities (World Resources Institute & WBCSD, 2011). Reducing these emissions is not only important for the environment and reputation, but is also increasingly required by regulations and customers. In this white paper, we discuss the key points of FuelEU Maritime 2025 and explore how smart industrial packaging can contribute to reducing Scope 3 in the logistics chain.
This document is intended for logistics managers and sustainability officers. We take a businesslike, clear approach with factual information, supported by verified data and practical examples. Here you will find an overview of the most important aspects of the regulations and concrete strategies in the field of packaging optimisation to reduce the carbon footprint of transport.
FuelEU Maritime is part of the European Fit for 55 package and focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transport. From 1 January 2025, ships with a gross tonnage of more than 5,000 tonnes calling at European ports will have to comply with increasingly stringent limits on the greenhouse gas intensity of the energy used (European Commission, 2023). This means that shipowners will have to use cleaner fuels and technologies to meet the reduction targets. Table 1 shows the step-by-step tightening of emission requirements by 2050, compared to the reference year 2020.
| Year | Reduction in emission intensity |
| 2025 | –2% |
| 2030 | –6% |
| 2035 | –14,5% |
| 2040 | –31% |
| 2045 | –62% |
| 2050 | –80% |
Table 1. Greenhouse gas intensity reduction targets under FuelEU Maritime (compared to the reference year 2020).
Source: European Commission (2023). The percentages represent the required reduction in greenhouse gas intensity of marine fuel used, based on the well-to-wake principle, compared to 2020.
The FuelEU Maritime Regulation (EU 2023/1805) takes a technology-neutral approach, meaning that shipowners are free to choose fuels or energy technologies as long as the annual average emissions per unit of energy remain below the limit (European Commission, 2023). This can be achieved, for example, through the use of biofuels, synthetic fuels (e-fuels) or energy-saving innovations. In addition to the requirements during sailing, from 2030 onwards, moored passenger and container ships in major EU ports will also have to switch to shore power or another emission-free energy source in order to reduce local air pollution (European Commission, 2023).
Non-compliance with FuelEU Maritime will have significant financial consequences. If a ship fails to meet fuel intensity targets and does not compensate for this through mechanisms such as banking or pooling, a penalty will be imposed proportional to the excess emissions (GEODIS, 2023). According to the regulation, the fine is calculated based on the tonnage of fuel that has been emitted in excess; this could mean millions in additional costs for persistent offenders. In addition, since 2024, shipping has also been included in the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), which means that emission allowances must be surrendered for part of the CO₂ emissions (GEODIS, 2023). In short, this creates a double incentive mechanism: FuelEU Maritime sets mandatory CO₂ intensity standards, while the ETS sets a price for each tonne of CO₂ emissions.
Although FuelEU Maritime primarily targets shipowners and ship operators, the consequences will also affect shippers, the companies that transport cargo. More sustainable fuels (such as biofuel or synthetic methanol) are currently significantly more expensive than conventional marine fuel, and investments in new technologies or ship modifications entail high costs (GEODIS, 2023). These additional costs for the shipping industry are expected to lead to higher freight prices for customers (GEODIS, 2023). In other words, the transport of goods by sea is likely to become more expensive, and companies that use maritime transport will face these cost increases in their logistics chain.
For logistics managers, this means that efficiency and emission reduction in transport are becoming even more important. Any savings in fuel consumption or optimisation in load capacity can help to reduce costs and emissions. This is precisely where smart industrial packaging solutions can play a role: by reducing the weight and volume of packaging and minimising transport movements, companies can both achieve financial benefits and reduce their Scope 3 emissions.
In the context of climate reporting, emissions are divided into three “scopes”. Scope 1 concerns direct emissions (e.g. fuel consumption in own lorries or ships), Scope 2 concerns indirect emissions from purchased energy (e.g. electricity for warehouses) and Scope 3 covers all other indirect emissions in the value chain (World Resources Institute & WBCSD, 2011). For most manufacturing and trading companies, Scope 3 is by far the largest category, as it includes emissions from suppliers, product use, waste disposal and transport by external logistics service providers.
Transport emissions, particularly international sea and road transport, often account for a significant portion of an organisation’s Scope 3 footprint. For example, the greenhouse gas emissions from a container ship transporting your products fall under your Scope 3 (upstream or downstream transport). Due to the complexity of global chains and the fact that multiple parties are involved (suppliers, freight forwarders, shipping companies), measuring and managing these emissions is a challenge (Nouasria, 2025). Nevertheless, regulators are increasing the pressure: initiatives such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) require large companies to report their full Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions (Nouasria, 2025).
For a logistics manager, this means that he must have insight into the CO₂ emissions per transported product unit and must strive to reduce these emissions. In addition to optimising transport choices (such as modal shift to less polluting modes of transport or improving container load factors), the packaging strategy is a crucial – and often underutilised – lever. Smart packaging can significantly increase transport efficiency and thus reduce the emission intensity per product.
Smart industrial packaging refers to the thoughtful design and use of packaging materials and resources to maximise logistical efficiency and minimise waste. In the context of Scope 3 reduction, this mainly means transporting less weight and less air. Every kilogramme and every cubic metre saved on packaging translates directly into lower fuel consumption and therefore lower CO₂ emissions during transport (EPA, 2019). Below, we discuss some strategies and examples:
In short, the above strategies deliver a double win: they reduce the emission intensity of transport (less CO₂ per unit transported) and they save costs through more efficient use of transport capacity. Companies that optimise their packaging regularly report a 10-20% or more reduction in transport costs (Trillora, 2024) – a saving that is very welcome in times of rising fuel costs and CO₂ taxes. Moreover, this is in line with stricter climate targets: lower emissions per product not only help to achieve a company’s own sustainability goals, but also reduce the risk of future CO₂ costs being passed on from the logistics chain.
The introduction of FuelEU Maritime 2025 marks a significant turning point in making the logistics chain more sustainable. Shipping will be forced to use cleaner energy and operate more efficiently, which will ultimately lead to lower emissions per tonne-kilometre by sea. For shipping companies (particularly logistics managers and sustainability officers), this is both a challenge and an opportunity. On the one hand, transport costs may rise due to more expensive fuels and emission costs, but on the other hand, there will be an additional incentive to proactively reduce their own Scope 3 emissions.
Smart industrial packaging offers a directly applicable solution. By critically examining how products are packaged and transported, companies can eliminate waste in terms of space and weight. Case studies show that optimising packaging leads to fewer transport movements, lower fuel consumption and fewer emissions, without compromising product quality or customer satisfaction. In fact, these measures often go hand in hand with cost savings and more efficient logistics processes: a clear win-win situation.
For a professional organisation, implementing these insights means being prepared for the future. Integrating packaging optimisation into the sustainability strategy enables compliance with future reporting requirements (such as CSRD) and strengthens market position through a lower environmental impact. In an era where supply chain transparency and sustainability are key words, responsible choices in packaging and transport contribute to a more resilient and greener supply chain.
In short, FuelEU Maritime accelerates the decarbonisation of shipping; companies can respond to this by making their logistics flows more efficient. Smart packaging strategies significantly reduce Scope 3 emissions and help limit cost increases. In this way, sustainability becomes not only an obligation, but also a means of innovation and competitive advantage in the logistics sector.
Harold Pijs has been with Faes for more than 30 years and is Manager of Customer Service. As the driving force behind inside sales, he ensures reliable customer communication and a smooth order process. His experience makes him an indispensable link in customer-oriented service.
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