Summary of developments in EU and the EU Fit for 55 policy package – Q4 2024
ATTN: ALL FULL MEMBERS
ALL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Dear Members,
You may find here below a summary of the key EU developments (from October until December 2024) and the EU Fit 55 Policy Package.
A brief containing more details is also enclosed.
EU COMMISSION ELECTIONS:
The new EU Commissioners key Priorities are:
- Ramping-up the production and distribution of renewable and low-carbon transport fuels, in particular for hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping, will be a priority.
- Engage with the IMO to work on an ambitious global agenda and to secure a level playing field.
- Overall review of the EU ETS in 2026
2040 CLIMATE TARGETS
- A targeted amendment to enshrine a net 90% net GHG emissions reduction target in 2040 in the European climate law.
- This new climate target will have an influence on the revision of the EU ETS planned for 2026 and of FuelEU Maritime planned for 2027.
MARITIME SAFETY PACKAGE
- Directives were published in the Official Journal including the Port State Control Directive
EU ETS
- 6th Webinar by the EU Commission and EMSA will take place on 16th January 2025
INNOVATION FUND
- Five maritime projects were selected and will receive a total of €211 million following the 2023 General Call.
- The Commission published the 2024 Innovation Fund call and the 2024 Hydrogen Auction, which includes a maritime envelope
- For maritime sector projects, the Commission has revised the criteria related to the number of port calls.
- The Commission clarified that production and installation of new or retrofitted innovative technology (e.g. energy system, engine or equipment) into a ship is eligible for funding provided that the manufacturing and/or installation is done in EU/EEA.
FUEL EU MARITIME
- The 3rd Webinar by the EU Commission and EMSA took place 28th November
- To implement FuelEU Maritime, the Commission must prepare several delegated and implementing acts. The Commission updated the timeline of adoption of these acts.
- DG MOVE has published on its website information concerning the delayed implementation of FuelEU in Norway and Iceland
- DG MOVE opened new workstreams under the ESSF subgroup on Sustainable Alternative Power for Shipping:
- INTERCARGO participating in the ECSA Task Force on FuelEU implementation
SUBSTITUTION OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE USED IN ANTI-FOULING PAINTS
- INTERCARGO formed an Informal/Quick Action Group and following consultation submitted a letter to the EU/ECHA through the public consultation portal.
EUROPEAN MARITIME SINGLE WINDOW ENVIRONMENT
- Entry into application of the European Maritime Single Window environment (EMSWe) regulation is expected by August 2025.
DRAFT GUIDANCE FOR SAFE BUNKERING OF BIOFUELS
- DNV, on behalf of EMSA, has prepared a draft guidance document
NEW FINNISH LEGISLATION ON BAN OF DISCHARGES
- The Finnish Parliament approved a law prohibiting cargo ships from discharging wastewater into Finland’s territorial waters in the Baltic Sea.
- The Finnish national discharge ban on sewage (meaning raw and untreated sewage) and sewage effluent (meaning treated sewage, i.e. e.g. effluent that comes out from an IMO approved Sewage Treatment Plant) surpasses the requirements of MARPOL Annex IV.
- This legislation, set to take effect in July 2025
EES REGULATION: ENTRY-EXIT SYSTEM
- The EU Commission recently published, its draft Regulation on a temporary derogation from certain provisions of the EES Regulation.
EU ADOPTED 15TH SANCTIONS PACKAGE
- The Council approved on 16th of December the 15th package of sanctions against Russia.
Kind regards
Emmanuel Vergetis
