The World Shipping Council (WSC) has welcomed the European Commission’s proposal to direct a larger share of EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) revenues back into maritime decarbonisation, calling it a critical step toward accelerating the adoption of renewable marine fuels.
According to the WSC, reinvesting ETS revenues into the sector would help narrow the cost gap between conventional and alternative fuels, support clean fuel production, and strengthen Europe’s position as a global hub for renewable fuel bunkering.
“Liner shipping has already invested over €160 billion in ships that can operate on renewable fuels, but these cleaner ships need cleaner fuels,” said Simon Bergulf, Vice President for Environment and Climate at the World Shipping Council. “Closing the price gap is one of the most practical ways to get those fuels into ships’ tanks.”
However, the industry group expressed concern over another aspect of the Commission’s proposal that would expand the list of neighbouring non-EU transshipment ports based solely on infrastructure criteria.
Under the proposed rules, ports located within 150 nautical miles of the EU could be added to the transshipment list because they have facilities such as deep-water berths, long quays and ship-to-shore cranes, even if they are not handling significant transshipment activity.
“The ETS should be focused on cutting emissions, not making neighbouring non-EU ports less competitive,” Bergulf said.
The proposed revisions to the EU ETS for maritime transport are part of the European Commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the bloc’s climate policies while supporting the shipping sector’s transition to low- and zero-emission fuels. Industry stakeholders are expected to continue engaging with policymakers as the proposals move through the legislative process.
