The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has published a report providing a factual analysis of the environmental pressures and emissions exerted by the shipping sector in the EU.
This second edition of the European Maritime Transport Environmental Report (EMTER 2025) examines the progress made towards achieving Europe′s decarbonisation targets and environmental goals for the maritime sector while indicating the most important trends, key challenges, and opportunities.
Shipping carries more than two thirds of intra-EU freight flows, and does so efficiently, in terms of energy consumption. But we can still do better. For the climate and environment, all sectors of the economy have to help reduce pressure on the planet′s climate and resources.
… explained Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism; Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy; and Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans
Air emissions
According to the report, shipping accounts for 14.2% of the EU carbon emissions from transport, behind the road sector, and almost equivalent to the aviation sector. CO2 emissions from maritime transport have increased annually in the EU since 2015 (except for 2020), amounting to 137.5 million tonnes in 2022, 8.5% more than the previous year.
Methane (CH4) emissions from maritime transport have at least doubled between 2018-2023 and constitute 26% of the transport sector’s total methane emissions in 2022.
Sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions in the EU have decreased by about 70% since 2014, largely due to the introduction of Emission Control Areas for SOx (SECAs) in Northern Europe. The Mediterranean SECA, set to take effect on 1st May 2025, is expected to replicate this success in that region, and North-East Atlantic countries are considering establishing an ECA, potentially by 2027.
In contrast, Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from the maritime sector have risen significantly in 2015-2023, by an average of 10% across the EU, despite the North and Baltic Seas being designated as NOx ECAs since 2021 due to low penetration rates as requirements apply to new ships only.
Key environmental impacts highlighted in the report
- Greenhouse gas emissions: CO₂ emissions from maritime transport in the EU have risen annually since 2015 (except for 2020), reaching 137.5 million tonnes in 2022—8.5% more than the previous year but still below pre-pandemic levels.
- Methane (CH₄) emissions have at least doubled between 2018 and 2023, accounting for 26% of the transport sector’s total methane emissions in 2022. This is largely attributed to the increased use of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
- Air pollution: Sulphur Oxide (SOx) emissions in the EU have dropped by about 70% since 2014, largely due to the introduction of SECAs (Sulphur Emission Control Areas) in Northern Europe. The Mediterranean SECA, set to take effect on 1 May 2025, is expected to contribute further reductions together with the one upcoming in North-East Atlantic Ocean controlling both SOx and NOx. Meanwhile, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions rose by an average of 10% between 2015 and 2023, making up 39% of transport-related NOx emissions in 2022.
- Water pollution: Maritime transport contributes to water pollution through oil spills and operational discharges such as grey water, and water discharges from open-loop exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), which are used to reduce sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions to the atmosphere, account for 98% of permitted discharges. EGCS release contaminants into the water, highlighting the trade-off between reducing air pollution and increasing marine pollution. Discharge of grey water, driven largely by cruise ship operations, increased by 40% between 2014 and 2023.
- Underwater noise: New pan-European models reveal high underwater radiated noise (URN) levels in the English Channel, Strait of Gibraltar, Adriatic Sea, Dardanelles Strait, and Baltic Sea regions. Mitigation measures could reduce URN by up to 70% between 2030 and 2050.
- Marine litter: Marine litter from fisheries (11.2%) and shipping (1.8%) has halved over the past decade. However, challenges persist, particularly with plastic pellet pollution from lost containers.
- Impacted seabeds: Approximately 27% of Europe’s near-shore seabed (5% facing severe effects) is impacted by maritime transport-linked activities such as port expansions, dredging and anchoring which lead to physical disturbances and habitat loss.
- Alien species: Shipping introduces the major part (60%) of non-indigenous species and invasive alien species (56%) in Europe. The Ballast Water Management Convention, however, led to 31% certified ships and 23% compliant systems by 2023.
- Collision risks: Increased shipping intensity caused a notable rise in collision risks with animals in Natura 2000 protected areas across all marine regions from 2017 to 2022.
Water pollution
Maritime transport contributes to water pollution through the emission of hazardous substances, primarily oil spills, but also through operational discharges such as grey water and waste from exhaust gas cleaning systems (ECGS). Noticeably, open-loop ECGS account for 98% of permitted water discharges, with the remaining 2% comprising grey waters, sewage, bilge water, and closed-loop ECGS. Furthermore, the discharge of grey water has increased by 40% from 2014 to 2023, mainly due to the growth in cruise ship operations.
Enhanced satellite technology can now detect smaller possible oil spills on the sea′s surface than ever before. Most of the 2023 possible incidents detected from space by the CleanSeaNet service covered an area of less than two km².
New pan-European model data allows for quantitative comparisons of underwater radiated noise from shipping, revealing high sound pressure level (SPL) values in parts of the English Channel, the Strait of Gibraltar, parts of the Adriatic Sea, the Dardanelles Strait, and some regions in the Baltic Sea. Forecast data suggests that technical and operational mitigation measures could reduce noise by up to 70% between 2030 and 2050.
Marine litter attributed to fisheries (11.2%) and shipping (1.8%) sources in the regional seas around Europe is estimated to be decreasing, reaching half of the values from a decade ago. In addition, there is an increasing amount of data on waste deliveries from ships to EU ports each year. However, challenges remain in tackling plastic pollution, such as the release of pellets from lost containers.
In 2022, while 13.2% of the global fleet was flagged under an EU Member State, only 7% of end-of-life vessels recycled carried such a flag at the time of disposal. This underscores how re-flagging continues to undermine EU efforts for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling.
Biodiversity
Maritime transport impacts biodiversity through activities like port expansions, dredging, and anchoring that affect 27% of Europe’s near-shore seabed and lead to physical disturbances or habitat loss. There has also been a notable rise in collision risks of ships with marine wildlife within Natura 2000 protected areas.
While the number of non-indigenous species (NIS) keeps increasing, the introductions of invasive alien species (IAS) peaked in 2000-2005 and have since decreased. The International Ballast Water Management Convention entered into force in 2017, and by 2023, 31% of the ships held an International Ballast Water Management Certificate, while 23% had compliant ballast water management systems.
Decarbonisation, alternative fuels, and technologies
Recently adopted EU legislation, such as the extension of the ETS to maritime transport and the FuelEU Maritime initiative, can be expected to advance the decarbonisation of the sector. An increasing number of ships are being equipped with alternative fuel systems, indicating a shift towards greener energy solutions. The use of batteries is increasing, with the fleet using them expected to double in the coming years. While the number of ships using methanol remains low, it is growing, as are the numbers of ships using wind propulsion and hydrogen.
At least 44 EU ports have already implemented onshore power connections (OPS), with 352 berths having shore-to-ship power supply facilities. However, only a limited number of ships have the necessary equipment to connect to high-voltage OPS.
Data and knowledge gaps
The absence of monitoring data and standardised reporting requirements in the maritime sector, for example for pollutants such as NOx, Volatile Organic Compounds, Particulate Matter, and Black Carbon, hinders the comprehensive assessment of their environmental impacts. Digitalisation, along with advanced remote and in-situ monitoring technologies, can help bridge these gaps.
We trust that with coordinated efforts, maritime transport can continue to thrive in a way that benefits the wellbeing of European citizens and protects the environment and climate
… said Maja Markovčić Kostelac, EMSA Executive Director
