FantasticSearch

(1) Maritime transport accounts for around 75 % of the Union’s external trade and 31 % of its internal trade in terms of volume

400 million passengers embark or disembark annually in ports of Member States, including around 14 million on cruise passenger ships. Maritime transport is therefore an essential component of the Union’s transport system and plays a critical role for the Union’s economy. The maritime transport market is subject to strong competition between economic actors within and outside the Union for which a level playing field is indispensable. The stability and prosperity of the maritime transport market and its economic actors rely on a clear and harmonised policy framework within which maritime transport operators, ports and other actors in the sector can operate on the basis of equal opportunities. Where market distortions occur, they risk putting maritime transport operators or ports at a disadvantage compared to their competitors within the maritime transport sector or in other transport sectors. In turn, it is possible for that disadvantage to result in a loss of competitiveness of the maritime transport industry, fewer jobs and a loss of connectivity for citizens and businesses.

(2) According to the EU Blue Economy Report, 2022, the EU Blue Economy created a total of approximately 5,7 million jobs in 2014, of which 3,2 million were created through direct employment in the established sectors and an additional 2,5 million were generated via the respective supply chains. That report also states that Union maritime ports alone create approximately 2,5 million jobs (direct and indirect) in 2014. Of that amount of jobs, only approximately 0,5 million are captured by sectoral statistics, because maritime ports generate employment and economic benefits in other sectors such as logistics and maritime shipping services. The seven established sectors of the EU Blue Economy generated a gross value added of EUR 183,9 billion in 2019 .

(3) According to the Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the Commission Communication of 9 December 2020 entitled ‘Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy – putting European transport on track for the future’, compared to other modes of transport, maritime transport remains the most carbon-efficient mode of transport per ton km. At the same time, ship traffic to or from ports in the European Economic Area accounts for some 11 % of all Union carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from transport and 3 to 4 % of total Union CO2 emissions. CO2 emissions from maritime transport are expected to increase, unless further action is taken. All sectors of the Union economy are to contribute to the swift reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero at the latest by 2050, as enshrined in Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council . It is therefore essential for the Union to set out an appropriate pathway for the swift ecological transition of the maritime transport sector, which would also contribute to maintaining and further promoting the Union’s global leadership in relation to green technologies, services and solutions, and to further stimulating job creation in the related value chains while maintaining competitiveness.

(4) To enhance the Union’s climate commitment under the Paris Agreement , adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (the ‘Paris Agreement’), Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 aims to reduce GHG emissions (emissions after deduction of removals) by at least 55 % compared to 1990 levels by 2030 and puts the Union on a path to becoming climate neutral by 2050 at the latest. Additionally, various complementary policy instruments are needed to promote and speed up the use of sustainably produced renewable and low-carbon fuels, including in the maritime transport sector, while respecting the principle of technological neutrality. The necessary technology development and its deployment have to be under way by 2030 to prepare for much more rapid change thereafter. It is also essential to foster innovation and to support research for emerging and future innovation such as emerging alternative fuels, eco-design, bio-based materials, wind propulsion and wind-assisted propulsion.

(5) In the context of fuel transition to renewable and low-carbon fuels and substitute sources of energy, it is essential to ensure the proper functioning of and fair competition in the Union maritime transport market regarding maritime fuels, which account for a substantial share of companies’ and operators’ costs. Policy measures should therefore be cost-effective. Differences in fuel requirements across Member States can significantly affect ship operators’ economic performance and negatively impact competition in the market. Due to the international nature of shipping, ship operators may easily bunker in third countries and carry large amounts of fuel, which could also contribute to a risk of loss of competitiveness of Union ports in comparison to non-Union ports. That situation could lead to carbon leakage and detrimental effects on the competitiveness of the sector if the availability of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime ports under the jurisdiction of a Member State is not accompanied by requirements for their use that apply to all ships arriving at and departing from maritime ports under the jurisdiction of Member States. Therefore, this Regulation should lay down measures to ensure that the penetration of renewable and low-carbon fuels in the maritime fuels market takes place under the conditions of fair competition on the Union maritime transport market.

(6) The maritime transport sector is subject to strong international competition. Major differences in regulatory burdens across flag states have often led to unwanted practices such as the reflagging of ships. The sector’s intrinsic global character underlines the importance of a flag-neutral approach and of a favourable regulatory environment, which would help to attract new investment and safeguard the competitiveness of Union ports, shipowners and ship operators.

(7) In order to produce an effect on all activities in the maritime transport sector, this Regulation should apply to half of the energy used by a ship performing voyages arriving at a port under the jurisdiction of a Member State from a port outside the jurisdiction of a Member State, half of the energy used by a ship performing voyages departing from a port under the jurisdiction of a Member State and arriving at a port outside the jurisdiction of a Member State, the entirety of the energy used by a ship performing voyages arriving at a port under the jurisdiction of a Member State from a port under the jurisdiction of a Member State, and the energy used within a port under the jurisdiction of a Member State. Such a framework of application would ensure the effectiveness of this Regulation, including by increasing the positive impact on the environment of such framework. That framework should limit the risk of evasive port calls and the risk of delocalisation or rerouting of activities outside the Union. In order to ensure smooth operation of maritime traffic and to avoid distortions in the internal market, a level playing field among maritime transport operators and among ports with regard to all journeys arriving at or departing from ports under jurisdiction of Member States, as well as the stay of ships in those ports, should be ensured by consistent rules set out in this Regulation.

(8) It is essential for the Commission and the competent authorities of Member States to continuously ensure that their administrative procedures reflect best practices and to take measures in order to ensure consistency, avoid duplication in sectoral legislation and simplify the enforcement of this Regulation, thereby keeping the administrative burden on shipowners, ship operators, ports and verifiers to a minimum.

(9) This Regulation should be consistent with Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 of the European Parliament and of the Council , Directive (EU) 2023/959 of the European Parliament and of the Council , a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council , Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Directive 98/70/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the promotion of energy from renewable sources, and repealing Council Directive (EU) 2015/652 , and a Council Directive restructuring the Union framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity (recast) in order to ensure the necessary degree of legal and investment certainty. Such consistency would ensure a coherent legislative framework for the maritime transport sector, that contributes to significantly increasing the production of sustainable alternative fuels, ensures the deployment of the necessary infrastructure and incentivises the use of those fuels in a steadily growing proportion of ships.