Clean Industrial Deal for shipping

The Clean Maritime Fuels Platform, representing the European shipowners and the fuel suppliers, has stressed the urgency of developing a European supply chain for clean shipping fuels.
An estimated €40 billion in annual investments is required for European shipping alone up to 2050 according to the Draghi report. Supporting investments to foster the production and availability of renewable and low-carbon fuels is essential to achieving the climate objectives and securing Europe’s leadership in green innovation.
The Clean Maritime Fuels Platform highlights significant investment barriers, such as high production costs, technological risks, and a mismatch between producers’ long-term pricing expectations and users’ need for flexible contracts.
To address these challenges, the Clean Maritime Fuels Platform urges the Commission to:
• Include renewable and low-carbon fuels and innovative technologies needed by shipping in the upcoming Clean Industrial Deal;
• Harness the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP), to de-risk investments needed to ramp up the production and distribution of clean fuels for shipping;
• De-risk projects through public financial support from the EU and national ETS revenues to strengthen the EU’s industrial base for clean fuels;
• Facilitate the role of ports as energy hubs through fuels infrastructure mandates.
“Making clean fuels available is a prerequisite for the energy transition of shipping. The Clean Industrial Deal is a great opportunity to set the conditions to upscale the manufacturing of clean fuels for shipping. Unlocking public and private investments through the use of EU and national ETS revenues is vital to bridge the immense price gap between clean and conventional fuels,” said Sotiris Raptis, ECSA Secretary General.
“Shipping is the backbone of Europe’s external trade and a key contributor to the EU’s economy. Its decarbonisation must go hand in hand with industrial competitiveness. To accelerate the transition, we need to turn clean maritime fuels from an ambition into a reality. Europe has the opportunity to lead the way in clean shipping, but we must act now,” pointed out Liana Gouta, FuelsEurope Director General.
“Key challenges, including high production costs, technological risks, and insufficient market incentives for sustainable fuels are crucial. To overcome these barriers, clear regulatory commitments and dedicated support mechanisms are essential to foster investment in the industrial-scale production of renewable marine fuels. The proposed measures allow Europe establishing itself as a global leader in the decarbonization of the shipping industry,” stated Ralf Diemer, CEO of the eFuel Alliance
“The EU has the opportunity to lead the global clean maritime transition by developing a comprehensive and sustainable industrial strategy. Promoting renewable fuels, including waste-based and advanced biodiesel, will be key to strengthening competitiveness and accelerating the shift toward greener shipping,” said Angel Alvarez Alberdi, Secretary General of EWABA.