- The fuels used by the shipping industry will be required to gradually reduce their greenhouse gas intensity by 2% in 2025.
The FuelEU Maritime rule, which is a component of the “Fit for 55” package to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, was the subject of a political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on Thursday.
The FuelEU Maritime program aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime industry and stimulate demand for renewable and low-carbon fuels. The fuels used by the shipping industry will be required to gradually reduce their greenhouse gas intensity by 2% in 2025 and up to 80% by 2050.
“With the long-term outlook of this agreement, we are sending a clear signal to the sector across the value chain, from shipowners and operators to fuel producers, shipyards and equipment manufacturers, that it is worthwhile and necessary to invest in sustainable maritime fuels and zero-emission technologies,” said Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean.
The law also specifies guidelines for reducing emissions of air pollution in ports. It completes the tentative agreement reached in December 2022 to include shipping emissions in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) responded to the statement by saying it is a step in the right direction. Yet to produce the clean fuels required, we need all hands on deck and, in particular, more stringent standards for fuel suppliers. Sotiris Raptis, secretary general of the ECSA, said, “Thus, we call upon the Parliament and the Council to adopt binding objectives on suppliers for clean marine fuels in the amended Renewable Energy Directive (RED).
According to the European Commission’s announcement, water transport contributed between 3% and 4% of all CO2 emissions in the EU in 2021.