Access to clean maritime fuels is a top priority for the decarbonisation of the shipping sector. The new Clean Maritime Fuels Platform is a bottom-up industry initiative aiming to enhance communication between the shipping sector and fuel producers.
The recently published Draghi report on the Future of European Competitiveness identifies shipping as one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise, requiring around EUR 40 billion in annual investments between 2031 and 2050.
The report highlights that, while the EU is a world leader in sustainable renewable and low-carbon fuels for the decarbonisation of transport, it has limited installed capacity and planned production. The EU needs to start building a supply chain for clean fuels, or the costs of meeting its targets will be significant.
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Clean Maritime Fuels Platform
The new Clean Maritime Fuels Platform seeks to identify common challenges and possible solutions, considering the implementation of the Fit for 55 package and the transition to a net-zero economy by 2050.
On 12 September, representatives of ECSA, FuelsEurope, eFuel Alliance, EWABA, HydrogenEurope and Methanol Institute held their first meeting and agreed on the objectives and the working principles of the new platform. Members also started to discuss the key topic of infrastructure gaps.
The platform will focus on policies and tools to support the production and uptake of clean maritime fuels in Europe including areas such as maritime in EU ETS and funding opportunities. The platform will hold regular meetings with ECSA taking care of the secretariat’s tasks.
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‘Need all hands on deck’
‘Today, the shipping and energy industry join forces and launch a dialogue platform that can facilitate better flow of information about the common challenges we are facing,’ says Sotiris Raptis, ECSA secretary general. ‘We need all hands on deck to make the energy transition happen. In order to meet our targets, we need clean fuels available in the market in sufficient quantities and at an affordable price. European shipowners are proud to launch with the fuel producers the Clean Maritime Fuels Platform.’
Liana Gouta, director general of FuelsEurope: ‘The launch of the Clean Maritime Fuels Platform is a significant milestone in our collective journey towards sustainable shipping in Europe. By bringing together the expertise and innovation of the maritime sector of Europe and fuel manufacturers, the Platform will explore the opportunities and challenges of the production, supply and use of renewable and low-carbon maritime fuels. This collaboration will help both our industries to be at the forefront in contributing to the Fit for 55 and Green Deal objectives while continuing to thrive in the global market place.’
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