The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has recently urged the European Commission to address the unintended effects of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) expansion to the maritime sector. This call comes ahead of the upcoming revision of Directive 2003/87/EC. Since the maritime emissions trading system was implemented in January 2024, EU ports have consistently warned that its regional scope may lead to carbon and business leakage.
Currently, voyages between EU ports incur a full ETS charge, while those between EU and non-EU ports are charged at 50%. ESPO reports that these regulations are already influencing shipping patterns and port calls, particularly in major Mediterranean hubs and other EU areas. ESPO Secretary General Isabelle Ryckbost emphasized that the current framework could compromise the EU’s strategic goals, including decarbonisation, energy security, and military preparedness.
Moreover, ESPO highlighted the negative effects on short sea shipping, noting a shift from maritime to road transport in some regions. This trend contradicts the EU’s long-standing initiatives aimed at promoting maritime transport, such as the Motorways of the Sea program.
In its submission for the EU ETS review, ESPO advocates for prioritizing a global agreement and aligning the EU’s system accordingly. They propose several adjustments, including removing the 65% transshipment threshold and enhancing reinvestment of ETS revenues into the maritime sector. CLECAT has expressed support for ESPO’s concerns regarding the risks of carbon leakage and competitive distortions among EU ports.
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