Fuel EU Maritime: Renew Europe welcomes balanced and ambitious legislation for the greening of the maritime sector

In today’s plenary session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted the FuelEU Maritime report, which concerns the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport. The text plays a key role in the reduction of emissions in the maritime sector, contributing to the targets set for the transport sector as a whole in the European Green Deal and the Climate Law. The report establishes a clear and stable trajectory for greenhouse gas intensity reductions, without compromising the competitiveness of our EU industry and businesses. The focus is on gradually and cost effectively shifting to sustainable fuels as well as using onshore power supply in the TEN-T maritime ports.

The Parliament increased the greenhouse gas emission reduction intensity targets from the Commission’s proposal and specific objectives (quota) are introduced concerning the use of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (such as renewable hydrogen). Certain flexibilities are included for geographical considerations as well as SMEs. Renew Europe actively pushed for the inclusion of a broad range of solutions to decarbonise the maritime sector, such as the cost effective installation of the onshore power supply aligned with the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, supporting also the production of alternative fuels as well as innovations, such as wind propulsion.

Elsi KATAINEN (Suomen Keskusta, Finland), shadow rapporteur for Renew Europe of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation in the Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN), said:

‘I am extremely pleased that this very balanced agreement was voted in the plenary today. It is a game changer for the whole maritime sector, from shipping companies to ports. The Parliament’s position gives the sector a realistic yet ambitious trajectory for the green transition, supports innovations and safeguards European competitiveness. With this regulation the EU will act as global leader towards emission reductions in the maritime sector, which will in turn bring investments and opportunities for the sector.’