EU Audit Calls for Action Against Ship Pollution to Achieve Zero Emissions by 2030

The European Court of Auditors has highlighted the ongoing issue of ship pollution in EU maritime waters, despite significant investments and resources. The audit found shortcomings in tracking and enforcement, calling for further steps to meet the EU’s zero pollution ambition. The report focused on ship-sourced pollution and examined EU actions between 2014 and 2024, revealing that while efforts were well-designed, implementation had weakened, and member states’ actions were deemed unsatisfactory.

The auditors emphasized that pollution at sea caused by ships remains a major problem, with EU action falling short of steering towards a solution. They noted that member states underuse tools provided to them, such as the European Maritime Safety Agency, leading to missed opportunities in addressing pollution incidents. Additionally, preventative inspections of ships were reported to be lacking, with states failing to meet mandatory inspection targets and low penalties for polluters.

Recommendations from the audit include improving monitoring and effectiveness of pollution alert tools, ensuring member states perform mandatory checks, and enhancing tracking of EU-funded projects. The report suggests using these findings to possibly enhance legislation and the EU’s environmental action plan. The ultimate goal is to achieve zero pollution of EU waters by 2030, with the complete report available for download online.

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