European shipowners have welcomed the recognition of shipping as one of the five sectors in which the Clean Industrial Deal should be implemented.
In a recent release, the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) stated that ensuring targeted investment in the production, distribution, and uptake of sustainable maritime fuels under the upcoming Sustainable Transport Investment Plan is crucial to meeting the sector’s decarbonisation targets while safeguarding the competitiveness of European shipping.
It is key for the competitiveness of the European industry to implement the Commission’s commitment and reduce the reporting burden by at least 25 per cent for all companies and at least 35 per cent for SMEs, which are the backbone of the European shipping industry.
In this regard, the first simplification package (omnibus package), is a good step forward, according to ECSA.
The revision of Taxonomy should reportedly also make its sustainability criteria fit for the shipping sector.
The next simplification packages should also consider the progress made and the implementation of the IMO GHG Strategy to align EU legislation and ensure an international level playing field.
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The launch of a new mechanism under the European Hydrogen Bank to de-risk investments in fuels for shipping is reportedly a positive development, said ECSA.
Leveraging EU and national ETS revenues is essential to build industrial capacity in Europe and to bridge the immense price gap between conventional and clean fuels that can be up to five times more expensive.
Grants and auctions as a service mechanisms can pool national ETS revenues to support these objectives.
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“Today’s Clean Industrial Deal recognises competitiveness and decarbonisation as a security imperative,” said Sotiris Raptis, ECSA Secretary General.
“We strongly welcome the recognition of shipping as one of the priority sectors of the Clean Industrial Deal. Shipping is a cornerstone of Europe’s energy and supply chain security and in the frontline of the energy transition.
“This is the time for urgent action to make the necessary investments in clean tech and fuels, to maintain the international competitiveness of our industry and to enhance the security of our continent. EU member states must use the 9 billion of the shipping ETS revenues to support the production of clean fuels. We also urge the Commission to cut red tape and ensure an international level playing field.”
Earlier this month, the EU granted €7.8 million ($8.1 million) to the STEESMAT project, which aims to develop power distribution systems for future zero-emission ships.
