Methane Emissions Surge in EU Maritime Sector Due to Increased LNG Use

Methane emissions in the maritime sector have more than doubled between 2018 and 2023, driven by a significant increase in vessels running on liquefied natural gas (LNG). Despite efforts to reduce environmental impacts, EU shipping emissions have been on the rise since 2015, with the exception of 2020 due to the pandemic. The European Maritime Safety Agency and the European Environment Agency’s assessment highlighted a 32.2% growth in LNG-powered vessels as a key factor in the sector’s methane emissions surge.

The European Maritime Transport Environmental Report’s second edition delves into various environmental pressures faced by the sector, including oil and water discharges, marine litter, port expansion, biodiversity impacts, and emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. While recent regulatory changes, such as integrating the shipping sector into the EU’s Emissions Trading System and expanding sulphur emission control areas, are driving reductions in certain emissions, the report points out a lack of mandatory reporting on pollutants like particulate matter and black carbon.

The report emphasizes the need for more data on manufacturing, ship-breaking, and maintenance to fully understand a vessel’s life cycle emissions. It also highlights the necessity of harmonized international guidelines and workforce retraining to advance alternative fuels and propulsion systems. The findings of the report are expected to contribute to the European Oceans Pact, an EU initiative promoting sustainable ocean management and a competitive blue economy. A consultation for the pact is open until February 17, with the European Commission planning to announce its strategies in June 2025.

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