EU sets sail towards greener future: Fuel standard for ships to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

The European Parliament and Council have agreed to set up a fuel standard for ships to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonise the EU maritime sector.

♦ The provisional agreement requires ships above a gross tonnage of 5,000 to gradually reduce their GHG emissions below the 2020 level of 91.16 grams of CO2 per MJ, by 2% as of 2025, 6% as of 2030, 14.5% as of 2035, 31% as of 2040, 62% as of 2045, and 80% as of 2050. The rules will apply to all energy used on board in or between EU ports and 50% of the energy used on voyages where the departure or arrival port is outside the EU or in the EU’s outermost regions.

♦ The agreement also includes incentives in the form of offsetting emissions for ship owners who use renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO) from 2025 to 2034 and sets a 2% renewable fuel usage target as of 2034.

♦ Containerships and passenger ships will be required to use an on-shore power supply for all electricity needs while moored at the quayside in major EU ports as of 2030, with the requirement applying to the rest of EU ports as of 2035. Exceptions will apply to certain circumstances, such as staying at port for less than two hours, using your own zero-emission technology, or making a port call due to unforeseen circumstances or emergencies.

⇒ The deal still needs to be approved by the Council Committee of Permanent Representatives and Parliament's Transport and Tourism Committee and then the Parliament and Council as a whole. The new rules are part of the EU's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels under the "Fit for 55 in 2030 package."

Source: European Parliament