European Parliament toughens maritime GHG reduction targets
In a plenary session today, Members of the European Parliament approved tougher greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets under the FuelEU Maritime initiative.
PHOTO: EU Parliament approves mandate to cut the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of the energy used on board ships by 2% as of 2025, 20% as of 2035, and 80% as of 2050. Getty Images
The maritime sector will have to cut the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of the energy used on board ships by 2% as of 2025, 20% as of 2035, and 80% as of 2050 compared to 2020 levels.
The European Commission had proposed the same reduction by 2025, but less stringent reductions of 13% by 2035, and 75% by 2050.
These targets will apply to ships above 5,000 gross tonnes (GT), to all energy used onboard ships in or between EU ports, and to 50% of the energy used on voyages where the departure or arrival port is outside of the EU.
The proposal also mandates companies that operate three or more ships above 5,000 GT to use at least 2% renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs or hydrogen-based fuels), and for container ships and passenger ships docked at EU ports for more than two hours to use on-shore power.
According to the EU's renewable energy directive, biofuels must achieve a minimum 65% reduction in GHG emissions, whereas RFNBOs and recycled carbon fuels have a minimum emission-saving threshold of 70%.
The final text of the FuelEU Maritime proposal will now be negotiated between the European Commission, European Parliament and EU member states.
By Konica Bhatt
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