Joint Public Statement on shipping fuels in the Clean
Urgent Call for Clean Maritime Fuels in Europe
The Clean Maritime Fuels Platform emphasizes the urgent need for a European supply chain dedicated to clean shipping fuels. With an estimated €40 billion required annually for investments in European shipping until 2050, stakeholders stress that fostering the production and availability of renewable and low-carbon fuels is crucial. This initiative aims to meet climate objectives and position Europe as a leader in green innovation.
Investment Barriers and Strategic Recommendations
The Clean Maritime Fuels Platform identifies significant barriers to investment in clean shipping fuels. High production costs, technological risks, and a disconnect between producers’ long-term pricing expectations and users’ demand for flexible contracts hinder progress. To overcome these challenges, the platform urges the European Commission to take decisive action.
Key recommendations include incorporating renewable and low-carbon fuels into the upcoming Clean Industrial Deal. This would ensure that the necessary technologies for shipping are prioritized. Additionally, the platform advocates for the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) to mitigate investment risks associated with the production and distribution of clean fuels. Public financial support from the EU and national emissions trading system (ETS) revenues is also essential to bolster Europe’s industrial base for clean fuels.
Ports must play a pivotal role as energy hubs, supported by infrastructure mandates for fuel distribution. As Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), states, “Making clean fuels available is a prerequisite for the energy transition of shipping.” He highlights the Clean Industrial Deal as a vital opportunity to enhance the manufacturing of clean fuels. The transition to clean maritime fuels is not just an environmental necessity; it is also a matter of maintaining industrial competitiveness in Europe. Liana Gouta, FuelsEurope Director General, emphasizes that shipping is integral to Europe’s economy and that decarbonization must align with industrial growth.
The urgency for action is clear. The proposed measures could position Europe as a global leader in the decarbonization of the shipping industry, but immediate steps are needed to turn ambitions into reality.
