EU Commissioner says that companies will not face double charges for emissions

June 3 ------ Shipping companies will not be required to pay twice for carbon emissions under both the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas told delegates at the opening of Posidonia 2026 (1-5 June).

Speaking at Posidonia, Tzitzikostas sought to reassure shipowners that Brussels is aware of concerns over the cost of decarbonisation and is working to avoid overlapping carbon pricing mechanisms as the IMO develops its global emissions framework. “European companies will not pay twice, both in Europe and in the IMO,” Tzitzikostas noted.

Tzitzikostas further said that revenues generated through the ETS from shipping should be reinvested directly into the sector, supporting the transition to cleaner fuels, new propulsion technologies, and innovation, rather than being absorbed into general public budgets.

In addition, the Commissioner used his address to place maritime transport at the center of Europe’s economic and industrial competitiveness. "Without ships and without ports, there is no competitive Europe," the Commissioner highlighted. He pointed to two newly introduced EU initiatives, the European Industrial Maritime Strategy and the European Ports Strategy, as evidence of Brussels’ commitment to strengthening the sector while managing the energy transition.

The strategies focus on fleet renewal, port infrastructure, alternative fuels, shore power, digitalization and cybersecurity, aiming to enhance both competitiveness and sustainability across Europe’s maritime ecosystem. Tzitzikostas also moved to reassure shipowners regarding the future of national tonnage tax regimes, describing them as essential for maintaining the attractiveness of European ship registries.

He further commented that the European Commission is working to simplify reporting obligations under both the ETS and FuelEU Maritime frameworks, while reducing unnecessary administrative burdens. “Competitiveness also means fewer unnecessary burdens,” he said.

At the same time, he warned about Europe’s increasing reliance on non-EU maritime finance providers, noting that a growing number of shipowners are turning to leasing structures and financial institutions outside the bloc and cautioned that this trend could create strategic vulnerabilities for the European Union if ownership structures and industrial linkages shift away from Europe.

Decarbonisation must remain a global effort

Tzitzikostas reaffirmed the EU’s support for ongoing negotiations at the IMO to implement its 2023 greenhouse gas strategy, stressing that decarbonisation must be addressed at a global level to be effective.

As highlighted the EU’s updated negotiating mandate seeks practical solutions capable of attracting broad international consensus, following recent discussions that did not produce a final agreement. “Decarbonisation is a global challenge and a global responsibility,” he noted. However, he acknowledged that regulation alone will not be sufficient, stressing the need for coordinated action between shipowners, ports, fuel suppliers, and governments to ensure that infrastructure, investment, and fuel availability move in step.

Freedom of navigation and seafarer protection

Separately, Tzitzikostas delivered a strong message in defense of freedom of navigation and the protection of seafarers. He stressed that seafarer safety remains the “absolute priority” of the European Union, underscoring the commitment of European institutions to ensuring safe operating conditions across global shipping routes.

As highlighted freedom of navigation is a core principle of international law and must be preserved without compromise.

The Commissioner warned against practices such as transit fees, de facto tolls, or coercive measures in international waters, arguing that such developments undermine the international legal order. "If we back down today, it will set a very dangerous precedent, putting the fundamental principles of navigation at risk," he warned.

Source: safety4sea.com