European Shipowners (ECSA) has set out three priorities for the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), including reinvestment of maritime revenues in clean fuel production and a supply-side mandate.

Sotiris Raptis, ECSA Secretary General, presented the proposals at a European Commission event on the EU ETS revision, organised by Kurt Vandenberghe, director-general of DG CLIMA.

ECSA highlighted that European shipowners control 34.5% of the global fleet and represent 44% of the worldwide orderbook for sustainable fuel-powered ships. Europe, however, produces 10% of global sustainable fuels, with less than 5% directed to maritime use.

The association said that shipping contributes €9bn a year to the EU ETS and urged members to use national revenues to support European clean fuel production.

“Member States should direct national ETS revenues into making clean fuels available, including by closing the price gap with conventional and clean fuels, today up to 8 times more expensive,” ECSA stressed.

The shipowners’ group also called for a binding requirement on suppliers, arguing that maritime transport remains the only sector without supply-side obligations.

“We need a mandate on fuel suppliers to make clean fuels available in the market,” ECSA emphasised.

On international alignment, ECSA welcomed the Commission’s commitment to avoid double payment for shipping once global measures are adopted at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

However, the association wants Brussels to go further by committing to withdraw EU legislation once a global agreement is reached.

“Such commitment will contribute essentially to the success of the international negotiations,” ECSA stated.