Page 51 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2023

ECSA: EARMARKED REVENUES CAN MARK to the commercial operators of the vessels. The
A TURNING POINT FOR SHIPPING’S phase-in period and the gradual inclusion of
DECARBONISATION emissions from shipping over a three-year period
European shipowners welcomed the formal are also crucial to ensure a smooth transition for
approval of the new EU ETS law on 18 April by the the sector. The co-legislators also agreed on spe-
plenary of the European Parliament. Earmarking cial provisions for ice-class vessels, small islands
around €2bn of the revenues of the Innovation and outermost regions.
Fund for the maritime sector can mark a turning While the new ETS marks an important step in
point in the decarbonisation of the industry. the decarbonisation of the industry, sufficient
Importantly, the Parliament and the Council have amounts of low- and zero-carbon fuels will need
embraced the calls of the industry stakeholders to be available at an affordable price to maintain
to earmark EU ETS revenues back to the maritime the industry’s global competitiveness. This should
sector to support the uptake of clean fuels and be a top priority of the proposed Net Zero Indus-
foster innovation. At least 20 million ETS allow- try Act. As shipping is one of the most difficult to
ances, which correspond to around €2bn under decarbonise sectors, the upscaling of affordable
the current ETS carbon price, will be allocated low- and zero-carbon fuels and technologies for
to maritime projects under the Innovation Fund. the sector is key.
“Addressing the climate crisis and decarbonis-
ing shipping is not a question of ‘if’ but of ‘how’. FSO SAFER: CALL FOR EQUIPMENT FOR
Setting aside part of the ETS revenues for mar- OIL SPILL RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS
itime is a victory for the energy transition of the IMO is urging Member States to contribute equip-
sector. Dedicated Innovation Fund support is key ment to help UN-led efforts to prevent a possi-
to bridging the price gap with clean fuels,” says ble catastrophic oil spill from the FSO SAFER, an
Sotiris Raptis, ECSA’s Secretary General. ageing and rapidly decaying floating storage off-
ECSA also welcomed the upholding of the “pol- shore (FSO) unit moored 4.8 nautical miles off the
luter-pays principle” through mandatory require- Red Sea coast of Yemen. IMO is providing exper-
ments for the pass-through of the EU ETS costs tise in oil spill preparedness and response as part

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