ENVIRONMENTAL CHARGE
EU EMISSIONS TRADING SYSTEM
About the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and surcharge
The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions whilst further incentivising energy-efficient, low-carbon solutions. A cornerstone of the EU’s policy to combat climate change, it is the world’s first carbon market.
As part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, which underpins the EU’s political pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% in 2030 (compared with 1990 levels), the ETS has been revised to help reach the EU’s aim of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.
The EU ETS and Brittany Ferries 澳洲幸运10十168体彩开奖网
Since 1 January 2024, the ETS extends to the shipping sector, applying to all services to and from EU ports, including ferry travel. Ferry companies are required to purchase emissions allowances from the EU, based on the levels of greenhouse gas emissions they generate.
To comply with the ETS, we apply an ETS surcharge for all customers travelling on our routes to help cover our allowance from the EU. We are already driving forward cleaner, greener ferry travel with new hybrid-powered ships, hydrodynamic design improvements and other environmental initiatives like real-time routing software. However, we recognise the importance of the ETS in helping drive down emissions further.
According to Department for Transport data, ferry travel is a greener way to travel with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions when compared with taking the plane.
About the passenger ETS surcharge
The ETS surcharge applies to all bookings. The price is based on the number and age of passengers, the length of the sailing and the type of vehicle. It is also calculated on the date when you will travel.
For example, if you are travelling from Portsmouth to Caen in 2025 with a car and two passengers you will pay £1 x 2 for the passengers + £6 for the car = £8 total.
Our ETS surcharge prices are subject to change at any time. When amending a booking, you may encounter a difference in the total cost of your booking if the ETS surcharge has changed compared to when you made the booking.
2025 prices
If you are travelling in 2025, the following prices apply.
See surcharge by destination
| Type | UK <> France (East Channel) | UK <> France (West Channel) |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger (excludes infants under 4yrs) | £1.00 | £1.00 |
| Bicycle | £1.00 | £1.00 |
| Motorbike | £4.50 | £4.50 |
| Car / 4x4 (up to 6m long x 2.6m high) | £6.00 | £7.50 |
| Van / Motorhome / Minibus | £8.00 | £9.50 |
| Trailer / Caravan | £2.00 | £2.00 |
| Coach | £44.50 | £44.50 |
East Channel routes: Portsmouth <> Caen, Portsmouth <> Cherbourg, Poole <> Cherbourg, Portsmouth <> Le Havre
West Channel routes: Portsmouth <> St Malo, Plymouth <> Roscoff
2026 prices
If you are travelling from 1 January 2026, the following prices apply.
See surcharge by destination
| Type | UK <> France (East Channel) | UK <> France (West Channel) |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger (excludes infants under 4yrs) | £3.00 | £3.00 |
| Bicycle | £1.50 | £1.50 |
| Motorbike | £7.50 | £7.50 |
| Car / 4x4 (up to 6m long x 2.6m high) | £11.00 | £14.00 |
| Van / Motorhome / Minibus | £14.50 | £17.00 |
| Trailer / Caravan | £4.00 | £4.00 |
| Coach | £81.00 | £81.00 |
East Channel routes: Portsmouth <> Caen, Portsmouth <> Cherbourg, Poole <> Cherbourg, Portsmouth <> Le Havre
West Channel routes: Portsmouth <> St Malo, Plymouth <> Roscoff
The EU Emissions Trading System explained
EU ETS FAQs
A cap limit is set for each shipping company and they must buy allowances to cover their carbon dioxide emissions.
There is a phase-in period where companies must use allowances for a portion of their emissions. This decreases over time - companies must cover 40% of 2024 emissions with their allowances, going up to 70% of emissions in 2025 and 100% of emissions from 2026 onwards.
If companies emit more than their allowance, they face heavy fines. Companies can trade allowances, meaning they can buy extra allowances from their competitors if required and, if they have more than they need, they can sell them or keep them for next year.
Funds are paid directly from us to the EU, which uses the funds for EU climate change projects and is also fed into the national budgets of member states. The money will be used to support investments in renewable energy, low-carbon innovation and technologies, energy efficiency improvements and energy transition.
By early 2025, four of our ships will be running on a cleaner fuel called LNG (liquified natural gas). Salamanca and Santoña are already in service using this fuel whilst our hybrid-powered ships, Saint-Malo and Guillaume de Normandie, enter service in spring 2025.
As well as a 20% reduction in CO2 (carbon dioxide emissions), LNG-powered vessels emit virtually no 'air quality' emissions from the funnel. There are no soot particles, no sulphur and 90% less nitrogen dioxide compared with a diesel-powered ship.
Our hybrid-powered ships will work just like a hybrid-powered car so they can run on LNG, on battery power or a combination of the two. When docked, they can be simply plugged in so that there are no emissions when alongside.
We are working on a host of environmental initiatives in conjunction with our de-carbonisation programme that include partnerships with marine research projects, wildlife protection charities and our commitment to responsible travel and supporting local producers.