Draghi’s report highlights shipping as one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise, requiring €40 billion in annual investments. To meet EU and international climate targets, European shipowners have released a position paper outlining key recommendations to accelerate the uptake of clean fuels in the shipping industry.
Bridging the Price Gap
Clean fuels for shipping can be up to five times more expensive than conventional fuels. To address this, European shipowners recommend using EU ETS revenues to close the price gap through mechanisms like the EU Innovation Fund and initiatives such as Auctions-as-a-Service or Grant-as-a-Service.
Prioritising Clean Fuel Production
To ensure a stable supply of clean fuels, shipowners advocate for a 40% production mandate in the EU. This would ensure sufficient fuel availability to meet the FuelEU Maritime targets, giving shipping priority access to these clean fuels.
Developing Energy Hubs and Infrastructure
Decarbonising shipping requires investments in port infrastructure to create energy hubs. The European Maritime Industrial Strategy should translate the 40% clean fuel production target into concrete infrastructure investments, turning major ports into energy hubs that support the shipping industry’s transition to sustainability.
Sotiris Raptis, ECSA Secretary General, emphasized the importance of this energy transition to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness in clean tech and fuel production, positioning shipping as a key driver of the EU’s climate goals.
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Source: ECSA
