As of 11 June 2025, global materials supplier UPM and shipping company Bore Ltd—part of the Spliethoff Group—have officially joined Ahti Pool to help decarbonise maritime operations and meet new FuelEU Maritime regulation targets.
The move marks a strategic step for both companies as they align with the EU’s push toward lower-emission shipping. By entering the Ahti Pool framework, UPM and Bore gain access to a system that enables the use, trading, and compliance pooling of ultra-low-carbon fuels such as e-methanol and bio-LNG.
Under the FuelEU Maritime regulation—enforced from January 1, 2025—ships must reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of their fuels over time. Each type of marine fuel has a well-to-wake emissions value, measured in grams of CO2 equivalent per megajoule (gCO2e/MJ). Fuels with lower emissions than the threshold earn surplus compliance credits, while higher-emitting fuels incur deficits that require penalty payments or the purchase of credits.
Risto-Juhani Kariranta, CEO of Ahti Pool, said the inclusion of UPM and Bore strengthens both the environmental and economic value of the platform. “By welcoming UPM, we are not only expanding our network with highly recognised partners but also enabling UPM to achieve near net-zero carbon maritime transport on the routes where Bore’s ships operate at a competitive cost level.”
The Ahti Pool model allows shipping operators to share their sustainable fuel usage across fleets. This flexibility is especially valuable for companies operating dual-fuel vessels. Bore Ltd currently deploys three such ships on charter to UPM, each capable of running on both conventional fuels and bio-LNG. All three vessels will now contribute their compliance credits to the Ahti Pool.
According to Jukka Hölsä, Vice President of Logistics at UPM, joining the pool provides a cost-effective way to decarbonise their maritime supply chain. “We are pleased to join Ahti Pool. Their innovative pooling model enables us to reduce the CO2 emissions of our supply chain and comply with FuelEU Maritime. We can now deliver our products with Bore’s ships across Europe with increased efficiency, almost zero carbon, and very competitive prices for our clients,” he said. UPM estimates an annual reduction of 16,000 tonnes of CO2e through the partnership.
Janne Kauppila, CEO of Bore, emphasized the collaborative nature of the effort. “Our work together with UPM and the entire Spliethoff Group is a great example of how companies can assist each other towards their environmental goals.”
The longstanding charter relationship between UPM and Bore goes back to 2019. This latest step reinforces that alliance under the pressures of tighter environmental regulation and rising operational costs.
Michael van den Heuvel, Chief Commercial Officer at Spliethoff Group, noted that the collaboration fits into a broader commitment to sustainability. “The strategic partnership between UPM and Spliethoff Group companies has a long history which is built on strong commitment to sustainable shipping solutions. Cooperating with Ahti Pool aligns perfectly with our long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship.”
For Ahti Pool, the addition of UPM and Bore boosts its influence and operational depth. Their ships now join a diverse roster of participating fleets that includes Neste’s tankers and Van Weelde Group’s handysize and ultramax vessels. The platform also has partnerships with technical and carbon management firms like NAPA, Carbonex, and New Asia Shipbrokers.
“This cooperation significantly enhances Ahti Pool’s capacity to enable seamless compliance for all its members,” added Kariranta, “and establishes a stable foundation for conformity with the IMO’s Net Zero Framework.”
