European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E) along with Dutch and Swedish shipowners' associations have written a letter to the European Parliament and the European Council to express support for the European Commission's legislative package for decarbonising the shipping sector.
The officials of the three organisations highlighted the financial support that is needed for the maritime sector to develop and operate zero-emission vessels and asked for revenues to be geared towards this target.
They proposed that the European Parliament and the European Council could adopt a financial mechanism dedicated to shipping. This should include support for research and development (R&D), as well as the deployment of clean fuels through Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfDs) and for the corresponding supply chain investments.
"Only a dedicated financial mechanism and maritime CCfDs would ensure enough business and investor confidence to guarantee shipping’s green transition," pointed out the shipowners and T&E.
They also stressed that the gross tonnage threshold and the inclusion of other ship types must be reconsidered.
They said that the current exemptions for ships under 5,000 gross tonnes (GT) and ships types not carrying cargo or passengers are projected to exempt 25.7 million tonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide (CO2).
"GT is not the best parameter and a ship’s carbon emissions should decide its payment. Ships and maritime activities that are currently not under the scope of the European Union (EU) Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) should be introduced at a later stage after a phase-in period," wrote the officials of the three organisations in the letter.
