SaaS startup ZERO44 and Hecla Emissions Management have partnered to deliver integrated FuelEU Maritime pooling for shipowners, managers, and charterers, covering forecasting, trading, execution, and compliance monitoring.

The tie-up launches post the first FuelEU reporting year, when deficit vessels must pool surpluses to cut costs – no more biofuel offsets. ZERO44’s platform pulls vessel data, verifier reports, bunkers, and charter terms for forecasting and scenario modelling. Users see surplus/deficit volumes, price thresholds, and compliance costs across regs.

“ZERO44 has built a highly credible compliance and forecasting platform that gives shipping companies clarity during the course of the monitoring period, which aligns well with Hecla’s approach,” said Benjamin Gibson, director of Hecla Emissions Management. “Both companies focus on transparency, accuracy, and practical decision-making. By connecting ZERO44’s forward-looking compliance insights with Hecla’s flexible surplus trading contract, we enable market participants to trade with confidence and significantly reduce both cost and risk.”

Hecla’s FuelEU Maritime Exchange turns verified surpluses into tradeable tokens via proprietary contracts. Tokens represent vessel shares that are transferable, sellable, or bankable. No full-year commitments needed – post-verification, holders assign vessels to pools. Multiple charterers can share a single surplus without issue, with compensation and off-hire handled accordingly.

“Now that the first FuelEU Maritime reporting year has come to an end, companies with vessels in deficit can no longer rely on alternative measures, such as consuming biofuels, to offset generated deficits,” said Friederike Hesse, Co-Founder and Managing Director of ZERO44. “Their only option to reduce cost is to pool with surplus vessels. We want to offer customers a low-risk, end-to-end FuelEU pooling workflow that allows them to make informed, commercially sound decisions.”

“Pooling exposes participants to the emissions of others, so choosing a pooling solution with a strong legal framework, transparency, and risk-reduction measures is essential,” Hesse added. “Hecla offers a robust and safe setup, alongside flexibility that reflects real-world owner-charterer relationships.”