“The European Commission’s publication today of the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) is a promising first step toward accelerating the energy transition in Europe for shipping,” says Jim Corbett, WSC’s Environmental Director, Europe.

“The plan sets out a framework for financing to unlock investments and scale up production of renewable and low-carbon fuels. Now the strategy must be taken forward in ways that deliver real impact on maritime decarbonization.”

The Commission estimates that 20 million tonnes of sustainable alternative fuels will be needed by 2035 for aviation and maritime sectors combined. WSC’s EU Shipping Decarbonisation Report, released earlier this year, shows that the maritime sector alone could uptake 14.4 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of renewable fuels by 2035—around 70% of the Commission’s combined target—if the right investment conditions are in place. This demonstrates both the scale of the opportunity and the urgency for action.

World Shipping Council is eager to work with the Commission to ensure the STIP translates to concrete measures that bridge the cost gap between renewable marine fuels and conventional bunkers. Without this, production and uptake will stall despite significant fleet investments already made by the liner shipping sector.

WSC calls for the funding outlined in the STIP to focus on:

• Price-bridging measures that make renewable fuels competitive, enabling their use by dual-fuel ships.

• Targeted incentives for renewable fuels to bring production to scale.

• De-risking market investment mechanisms connecting producers and buyers to de-risk investments and accelerate market development.

These measures are essential to help unlock the estimated €100 billion investment needed by 2035 and to ensure that funds mobilized through InvestEU, the European Hydrogen Bank, and the Innovation Fund deliver maximum impact. Demand for renewable maritime fuels is growing. WSC’s Dual-Fuel Fleet Dashboard shows the readiness of liner fleets, with over €150 billion invested in dual-fuel ships, ready to run on zero/near-zero fuels by 2030. These investments will only translate into GHG emissions reductions if renewable fuels become available at competitive prices.

While the STIP focuses on investment, Europe must not lose focus on additional measures critical for the transition:

• Fit-for-purpose certification of global fuel production to ensure environmental integrity and support early uptake.

• Strategic port infrastructure investments for green fuel bunkering and onshore power supply, to be outlined in the upcoming EU Port Strategy.

WSC will engage with the Commission to ensure STIP implementation delivers on its promise and positions Europe as a global leader in sustainable shipping, aligned with the IMO GHG Strategy.