Hamburg | January 28, 2026 – In a move that combines decades of maritime heritage with the latest environmental compliance standards, GEFO Bunker Trading, the specialized marine fuels division of GEFO Shipping Group, has achieved dual ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS certifications, effective January 22, 2026. This establishes the Hamburg-based company as a certified hub for sustainable marine energy.
The timing is critical: as of January 1, 2026, the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) has entered its full implementation phase, requiring shipping companies to surrender allowances for 100% of verified emissions.
Verified by SGS, a global leader in inspection and certification, this milestone allows GEFO Bunker Trading to provide fully traceable Proof of Sustainability (PoS) for its fuels. This documentation is mandatory for shipowners seeking to offset carbon liabilities and comply with RED III (Renewable Energy Directive) and FuelEU Maritime regulations, which means they can now fully document and verify the sustainability of the fuels they purchase.
“With this successful certification, we demonstrate once again our commitment to sustainability in shipping,” the company stated. “A huge thanks to the team for their great work in navigating this rigorous audit process.”
7 Seas, 1 Global Trader: Operational Scale
Operating under the banner “7 Seas, 1 Global Trader,” GEFO’s bunker trading desk manages complex marine fuel trading operations through a centralized, high-expertise team. In 2025, the division demonstrated significant operational reach:
- Traded 196,000 metric tons of marine fuel
- Completed 1,655 bunkering operations globally
- Provided 24/7/365 operational support across major hubs and niche locations
With ISCC certification, GEFO Bunker Trading is expanding its supply of high-grade sustainable marine fuels, including verified B30 and HVO blends. These certified “drop-in” solutions help shipowners improve CII performance while navigating increasingly complex regulatory requirements.
The dual ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS certifications enable GEFO Bunker Trading to support EU ETS compliance both within European waters and across major global bunkering hubs, ensuring full traceability and verified sustainability standards worldwide.
GEFO Shipping Group: A Legacy of Innovation
The certification of the bunker trading arm is backed by the operational weight of the wider GEFO Shipping Group. Founded in 1961, the group evolved from a Rhine-based barge operator into an international shipping network operating 148 coastal and inland vessels and transporting over 18 million metric tons of chemicals, gas, and mineral oil annually.
GEFO Shipping Group has earned the EcoVadis Gold Medal, placing it in the top 5% of companies globally for sustainability management and securing a spot on WirtschaftsWoche’s list of Germany’s best family businesses.
A Modernized Fleet for a Decarbonized Future
GEFO Shipping Group is investing hundreds of millions of euros into a massive fleet rejuvenation, developing vessels of the future.
- Wind-Assisted Propulsion: Adopted Norsepower Rotor Sails on chemical tanker builds, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
- Methanol-Ready & Optimized Hulls: Ocean-going stainless steel tankers designed for the highest ice class (1A) with optimized hulls to cut emissions significantly
- Inland Innovation: Continues leadership in the ARA (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp) region with hybrid-electric barges such as the “Canaletto”
By combining ISCC-certified fuels with cutting-edge fleet technology, GEFO Shipping Group is closing the loop on sustainability, ensuring vessels and their marine fuels meet the highest global standards for 2026.
Source: GEFO Shipping Group