On the occasion of the European Shipping Week, which took place between 17-21 February 2020 in Brussels, the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), has launched its positions in response to the EU Green Deal proposed by the new European Commission recently. The Cyprus Shipping Chamber which was involved in the development of these positions, fully supports them.

The shipping industry is fully committed to eradicating its GHG emissions completely as soon as possible in this century, in line with the ambitious targets agreed for the sector by its global regulator, the UN International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

European Shipping welcomes and supports the EU’s ambition to take the lead in fighting climate change. Within this context, the European shipping industry aims to be an active contributor to the IMO discussions on both short-term and long-term measures, and seeks the EU’s support for a coordinated and holistic approach at the UN body.

In direct response to the EU Green Deal, the European shipping industry lays down 8 points where the EU can cooperate with the shipping industry:

1. Take the lead in the international regulatory process
2. Incentivise the modal shift in transport from roads and air to ferries and short sea shipping – need for an ambitious strategy
3. Research and Development – make the EU a frontrunner in low- and zero-carbon technologies
4. Port call optimisation
5. Shore power and infrastructure for alternative fuels
6. Establish a green financing programme for the electrification of ferries
7. Use the offshore potential for renewable energy
8. Digitalisation