ONE Increases Environmental Surcharge Rates on Routes to Europe

Ocean Network Express (ONE) announced a quarterly upward adjustment of its Environmental Surcharge for Europe (EES) rates.

The adjustment responds to the expansion of environmental regulatory frameworks in the region, which will come into effect from October 1, 2026, and remain valid until December 31 of the same year.

The update incorporates the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS), in compliance with regulations effective since July 1, which require covering 100% of verified greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for all cargo originating from or destined for the UK.

In addition to the integration of the UK ETS, the full compliance phase of the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which began on January 1, 2026, is also included.

In relation to the previous regulation, the obligation to surrender emission allowances in the EU increased from 70% required in 2025 to 100% of verified emissions within its regulatory scope, including mandatory accounting for gases such as methane and nitrous oxide.

In this context, and to simplify invoicing, ONE has unified the costs derived from the UK ETS, the EU ETS, and the FuelEU Maritime regulation into the EES rate.

For routes from Asia and Oceania to Europe, the surcharge for dry containers (DRY) has been set at USD 110 for 20-foot units and USD 220 for 40-foot units, while for refrigerated cargo, it amounts to USD 210 and USD 420, respectively.

In the reverse direction, from Europe to Asia and Oceania, the values for dry cargo were set at USD 69 (20′) and USD 138 (40′), while for refrigerated cargo, they are USD 128 (20′) and USD 256 (40′).

In trade with the Americas, routes between Europe and North America will incur a cost of USD 62 (20′) and USD 124 (40′) for dry cargo heading to North America, and amounts of USD 50 (20′) and USD 100 (40′) in the opposite direction.

For operations between South America and Europe, the surcharge amounts to USD 89 (20′) and USD 178 (40′) for dry equipment destined for Europe, and is set at USD 76 (20′) and USD 152 (40′) for shipments from Europe to South America.

Meanwhile, intra-European transport will have a fixed rate of USD 72 (20′) and USD 144 (40′) for dry cargo.

The shipping company specified that the EES surcharge will continue to apply to all commercial contracts, with the sole exception of export cargo originating from China.

In that market, the portion corresponding to environmental regulation will not be charged as a separate surcharge but will be directly integrated into the general freight rate.

ONE reminded users that EES rates are reviewed quarterly and are subject to change with prior notice.