ECSA applauds EU’s new Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, which highlights the importance of enhancing the competitiveness of the sector as the prerequisite to attaining the ambitions set in the document.
To remind, the European Commission presented its ‘Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy‘, laying the foundation for a green and digital transformation in transport sector to make it more resilient to future crises. The strategy comes together with an Action Plan of 82 initiatives that will guide EU work for the next four years.
In light of the strategy, Martin Dorsman, ECSA Secretary-General stated that sustainability, connection and resilience are key steps to maintain the global position of the European economy.
The European shipping industry is fully committed to achieve zero carbon emissions and become greener, welcoming the references in the strategy to the importance of working closely with the International Maritime Organisation on concrete measures aimed at reaching global goals consistent with the Paris Agreement.
It is added that the industry firmly believes that a global approach is preferable to regional measures such as the proposed extension of the EU ETS to shipping or the revision of the Energy Taxation Directive. A recent ECSA/ICS study on the implications of extending the current EU ETS to international shipping highlights the many downsides attached to such an extension. ECSA will continue its constructive and pro-active dialogue with the European regulators to discuss the way Europe can contribute to decarbonising the global shipping industry as quickly as possible.
Mr Dorsman also highlights the importance of a coherent approach towards the decarbonization of shipping, noting that
The strategy rightly recognizes that shipping has greater decarbonization challenges compared to other sectors, due to current lack of market ready zero-emission technologies, required investments and international competition. In this regard, a consistent legislative framework also addressing the responsibilities of fuel suppliers as well as infrastructure needs is necessary.
He concluded that it is crucial to maintain the competitiveness of the European shipping sector, while achieving the environmental and social sustainability objectives.
