European shipowners have welcomed the formal approval of the new EU ETS law by the plenary of the European Parliament, which earmarks around €2bn of the revenues of the Innovation Fund for the maritime sector.
The Association of European Community Shipowners (ECSA) believes this can mark a turning point in the decarbonisation of the industry. Importantly, the European Parliament and Council have both embraced the calls of the industry stakeholders to earmark EU ETS revenues back to the maritime sector to support the uptake of clean fuels and foster innovation. At least 20m ETS allowances, which correspond to around €2bn under the current ETS carbon price, will be allocated to maritime projects under the Innovation Fund.
Sotiris Raptis, ECSA’s Secretary General said: “Addressing the climate crisis and decarbonising shipping is not a question of ‘if’ but a question of ‘how’. Setting aside part of the ETS revenues for maritime is a victory for the energy transition of the sector. Dedicated support through the Innovation Fund is indeed key to bridge the price gap with clean fuels.”
ECSA welcomes the upholding of the ‘polluter-pays principle’ through mandatory requirements for the pass-through of the EU ETS costs to the commercial operators of the vessels. The phase-in period and the gradual inclusion of emissions from shipping over a three-year period is also crucial to ensure a smooth transition for the sector. The co-legislators also agreed on special provisions for ice-class vessels, small islands and outermost regions.
ECSA says that while the new ETS marks an important step in the decarbonisation of the industry, sufficient amounts of low- and zero-carbon fuels will need to be available at an affordable price to maintain the industry’s global competitiveness. This should be a top priority of the proposed Net Zero Industry Act. As shipping is one of the most difficult to decarbonise sectors, the upscaling of affordable low- and zero-carbon fuels and technologies for the sector is key.
Paptis added: “Shipping being a cornerstone of Europe’s energy and supply chain security, this must be properly reflected in the strategic priorities of the new Net Zero Industry Act. For this reason, we welcome the inclusion of offshore renewable technologies and carbon capture and storage in the list of strategic net-zero technologies. In addition, renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) should be included in the Act, so that dedicated production capacity can be swiftly developed.”
This outcome follows the maritime industry’s statements on the earmarking of the EU ETS revenues of 29 September and of 22 and 30 November 2022.
