The EU transport ministers held a meeting in Croatia and adopted a declaration on guidelines for the development of EU maritime policy, calling for emissions trading scheme to cover ships from all countries, aiming towards a carbon-neutral and zero pollution waterborne transport sector.
In light of the Declaration, ECSA expressed its support, commenting that “The declaration clearly shows that the ministers place a huge importance on the competitiveness of the European shipping sector, in view of the vital and strategic role it plays in the EU economy, global trade and the common market.”
Efforts for a greener shipping future have been taking place across the globe, with the majority of shipping players issuing guidelines of how can seafarers and ships “act” greener.
In addition, the EU Ministers responsible for waterborne transport policy, through the guidelines published, highlight the vital and strategic role of waterborne transport to the EU economy, global trade and connectivity, and its importance to the functioning of the internal market.
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Also, the Ministers note that education, training and lifelong learning of the seafarers and inland navigation workers in the rapidly changing waterborne transport environment is important.
Therefore, they applaud the launch of EU’s Green Deal, which aims to accelerate progress towards a fully sustainable EU waterborne transport sector within a fair and prosperous society.
Croatia stresses the commitment for maritime transport to effectively implement the global Sulphur cap, while also encourages the research, development, funding and deployment of zero-emission vessels for short sea shipping and inland navigation in the near future.
In the meantime, the Ministers stressed the importance of digital transformation towards the waterborne transport sector enabling seamless multimodal transport operations.
Another highlights in paper issued by the Croatian Ministers include:
- Reaffirming the objective of supporting the long-term competitiveness of European shipping in global maritime markets in the context of growing protectionist trends and restrictive measures;
- Stressing the commitment for maritime transport to effectively implement the global sulphur cap.
- Ephasizing the need to develop carbon-neutral port activities through the promotion of green initiatives on port operations, vessels and energy industrial production.
- Noting the importance of climate proofing, resilience building, prevention and preparedness in relation to climate change adaptation of the waterborne sector.
- Supporting the digitalisation of reporting formalities in ports necessary for achieving full benefits of European Maritime Single Window environment.
To learn more about the Declaration, click herebelow
