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Association of German Shipowners welcomes preliminary agreement on EU emissions trading for shipping. After the negotiations for the inclusion of shipping in the EU emissions trading system were successfully concluded this week in Brussels, the Association of German Shipowners expresses its relief.
(Hamburg) “We welcome the end of the long phase of uncertainty regarding the specific design of the EU emissions trading system and its application to maritime transport, allowing shipping companies to plan accordingly. However, especially with regard to achieving our ambitious climate goals, we still believe that an international measure under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) would be more appropriate and effective for shipping,” said Managing Director Dr. Martin Kröger.
It remains important not to use the revenues from emissions trading to plug other holes in the EU budget: “The revenues from emissions trading must urgently benefit research and development of market-ready alternative fuels,” said Kröger: “Therefore, it is a positive step in the right direction that the negotiations followed the industry’s position and agreed on the provision of funds specifically for the shipping sector under the EU Innovation Fund. Achieving the goal of the maritime energy transition can only succeed if we can make commercially viable technology accessible to a wide range of ships worldwide. Since shipping does not produce fuels, we can only seek solutions together.”
A compromise must be found
“In terms of the percentages in the necessary introduction phase for the sector, we would have liked a bit more leeway for shipping. But we also understand that in the end, a compromise must always be found.” He continued: “The great challenge of decarbonization cannot be shouldered by shipping alone. All stakeholders must be on board. European shipping companies are facing significant financial burdens due to EU measures. Shouldering these while remaining competitive is a challenge that shipping must not be left to face alone at the national level in the interest of the location.”
Dossier not yet completed
The dossier for the revision of the EU emissions trading directive is not yet completed. Since this involves not only shipping but also other sectors, the final green light for implementation at the level of EU member states is not expected until the coming weeks. The final trilogue session on the entire EU emissions trading system will take place on December 15 and 16.
Photo: © Loginfo24
