ESG & Carbon Solutions
Navigate maritime decarbonization with a partner who understands both the regulations and the commercial reality. Compliance is the floor. Competitive advantage is the goal.
Maritime Decarbonization Is Not Optional. It Is Operational.
The maritime industry is undergoing its most significant regulatory transformation in decades. The International Maritime Organization's revised greenhouse gas strategy targets net-zero emissions by or around 2050. The European Union has brought shipping into its Emissions Trading System. The Carbon Intensity Indicator is already affecting vessel ratings, charter negotiations, and asset values.
For shipowners and operators, this is not a future problem. It is a present-day operational challenge that affects chartering, financing, insurance, and vessel value -- today.
Optima is one of the few shipbrokers in the world with a dedicated ESG and carbon solutions desk. We do not treat sustainability as a marketing exercise or a compliance checkbox. We treat it as what it is: a commercial imperative that requires specialist expertise.
Our team combines regulatory knowledge, market intelligence, and practical shipbroking experience to help you navigate decarbonization without sacrificing commercial performance.
Vessels built to meet the next twenty years.
Wind-assist, methanol, ammonia, evaluated ship by ship.
Every compliance decision begins on dry land.
The passage that earns its green corridor.
Case Study
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The mark that says this vessel has been through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CII and how does it affect my vessels?
The Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) is an annual operational measure that rates vessels from A (best) to E (worst) based on their carbon emissions relative to cargo capacity and distance traveled. CII requirements tighten every year, meaning vessels must become progressively more efficient. A vessel rated D for three consecutive years or E in any single year must submit a corrective action plan. Commercially, poor CII ratings restrict charter opportunities, reduce asset values, and can affect financing terms.
Does the EU ETS apply to my vessels?
If any of your vessels over 5,000 GT call at EU or EEA ports, yes. The EU ETS requires you to purchase EU Allowances (EUAs) to cover a portion of your CO2 emissions. The scheme phased in at 40% coverage in 2024, increased to 70% in 2025, and reaches 100% in 2026. This applies to all emissions on intra-EU voyages and 50% of emissions on voyages between EU and non-EU ports. The cost depends on EUA market prices and your fleet's trading patterns.
What is the difference between CII and EEXI?
EEXI (Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index) is a one-time technical baseline -- it measures a vessel's design efficiency and must be met once, typically through Engine Power Limitation. CII (Carbon Intensity Indicator) is an annual operational measure that rates actual performance and tightens every year. Think of EEXI as the entry requirement and CII as the ongoing performance test.
Can you help us achieve carbon-neutral shipping?
We can help you reduce emissions as far as operationally and technically feasible, and then design a verified carbon offset program to cover residual emissions. True carbon-neutral shipping using zero-emission fuels is still emerging, but a combination of operational optimization, efficiency retrofits, and high-quality offsets can deliver a credible carbon-neutral position today.
How much does EU ETS compliance cost?
The cost depends on three factors: the number and frequency of your EU port calls, the emissions profile of your vessels, and the market price of EU Allowances (EUAs). EUA prices have fluctuated between EUR 50 and EUR 100+ per tonne. For a vessel making regular EU calls, the annual cost can range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand euros. We model these costs precisely for your fleet and develop strategies to minimize exposure.
Ready to Build Your Decarbonization Strategy?
The regulatory timeline is fixed. Your response to it is not. Talk to our ESG desk about where your fleet stands and what comes next.
Schedule an ESG Consultation