123Carbon, Zero44 join forces to unite mandatory, voluntary carbon markets

123Carbon, a leading independent platform for carbon insetting, and Zero44, a startup for CO2 management of merchant ships, announced in October a strategic partnership that will provide shipowners, operators and charterers with a new level of control in allocating the impact of their low-carbon strategies to either the voluntary or mandatory market. 

Operators using low-carbon fuels have the opportunity to either retire, bank or pool their low-carbon emissions under FuelEU maritime but also have the option to allocate these emissions as part of a carbon-insetting strategy to specific customers who are willing to pay the premium for the biofuels and hence reduce their scope 3 emissions.  

By integrating their platforms, 123Carbon and Zero44 will provide the industry with a consolidated solution that simplifies carbon-accounting processes and allows customers to monitor their vessel’s compliance status in real time.  

Furthermore, customers will be able to allocate specific fuel volumes for either compliance or voluntary purposes, ensuring greater control of their carbon accounts and avoiding the risk of double-counting. 

Zero44 enables shipping companies to forecast future emissions and regulatory exposure, empowering them to make data-driven decisions about fleet-compliance strategies.  

Combined with 123Carbon’s industry-leading registry platform, the partnership facilitates the issuance, management and allocation of Environmental Attribute Certificates across all transport modalities—including air, sea, road, rail and barge—following globally accepted book-and-claim methodologies.  

Together, this partnership allows customers not just to comply but to make informed commercial decisions that support profitability and improved sustainability. 

The shipping industry is navigating a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape as it works to achieve net zero by 2050.  

New frameworks such as the Carbon Intensity Indicator, the EU Emissions Trading System and FuelEU maritime are forcing companies to account for emissions with greater accuracy and transparency while balancing mounting compliance costs. 

“This partnership comes at a critical moment for the maritime industry,” said Jeroen Van Heiningen, the founder of 123Carbon. “Shipowners and charterers are under pressure not only to comply with evolving regulations but also to offer low-carbon services to their customers seeking to lower the emissions from their sea-freight-related activities. By joining forces with Zero44, we are ensuring that our customers can take a holistic approach to carbon management, simplifying compliance, improving transparency and unlocking value across both the voluntary and mandatory markets.” 

Frederike Hesse, the managing director at Zero44, said, “The partnership between Zero44 and 123Carbon delivers exactly what the industry needs today. For the first time, voluntary carbon-trading opportunities are seamlessly combined with regulatory obligations under FuelEU, EU ETS and CII within a single platform. This integration provides our customers with full transparency, empowering them to make optimal decisions and secure a clear competitive advantage on their journey to net zero.” 

The partnership will be rolled out to shipowners, charterers and operators worldwide.  

It is designed to support multiple user groups across the shipping value chain, from ESG managers and finance teams to chartering and fuel-procurement departments, all of which face new and complex compliance responsibilities. 

As global and regional regulations continue to evolve, 123Carbon and Zero44 said they are committed to developing solutions that support the maritime industry, ensuring compliance while supporting long-term decarbonization goals.