The European Commission’s newly published communication on a European Strategy for low-emission mobility rightly points out that all transport sectors need to contribute towards reducing the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants.

“We believe that shipping obviously must be part of the global solutions to limit the increase in the global temperature as we clearly are also a global contributor to the carbon emissions”, commented ECSA Secretary General Patrick Verhoeven.

“We fully agree with the aim of the EU to secure a robust and mandatory global agreement for the collection and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping in the International Maritime Organisation as mentioned in the Commission’s communication. We also look forward to seeing a proposal to align the EU MRV Regulation with the global system. Finally, we support the Commission in ensuring that IMO timely delivers on the next steps. We believe that a global agreement is both needed and possible”, he added.

Shipping is today one of the most energy-efficient modes of transport. The sector transports approximately 90% of world trade and is only responsible for 2,2% of the global CO2 emissions. However, a recent IMO study predicts that shipping’s CO2 emissions may increase between 50 and 250% in the worst case scenario by 2050 as the traffic increases, unless preventive measures are taken.

The international shipping industry is committed to developing CO2 reductions across the world merchant fleet that are both ambitious and realistic.

“Overall, we welcome the comprehensive approach of the EU strategy, which focuses also on supporting multi-modality, alternative fuels, digitalisation and innovation”, Patrick Verhoeven concluded

For more information, please contact:

Patrick Verhoeven
Secretary General
Rue Ducale, Hertogstraat 67/B2, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
T +32 2 510 61 26
patrick.verhoeven@ecsa.eu

Karoliina Rasi
Director – Public Affairs & Communications
Rue Ducale, Hertogstraat 67/B2, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
T +32 2 510 61 29
M +32 476 349 263
karoliina.rasi@ecsa.eu