Interferry Urges Halt to 100% EU ETS for Shipping | Mariner News
Interferry Urges Pause on EU ETS Shipping Coverage
Interferry, the global ferry association, is calling for an immediate halt to the planned 100% EU ETS shipping coverage set to take effect this year. The organization insists that the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) for maritime transport should remain at the 70% level applied in 2025. This urgent appeal highlights significant concerns within the ferry industry about unfair competition and the effectiveness of current climate policies impacting European shipping.
Addressing Unfair Competition in Maritime Transport
The ferry industry argues that the move to full carbon pricing for maritime transport places ferries at a severe competitive disadvantage. While shipping faces increasing emission costs, road transport currently remains exempt from a comparable carbon pricing scheme. Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan warns that this disparity will likely push cargo and passengers away from ferries and back onto Europe’s road networks, undermining the EU’s broader maritime decarbonization efforts.
A Call for a Level Playing Field in EU Climate Policy
“This action must remain in place until road transport is also in an ETS and funds collected are actually ringfenced for shipping decarbonization,” Corrigan stated. Interferry emphasizes the need for a level playing field, ensuring that EU climate policy supports its most forward-looking transport sector rather than financially straining it. The European shipping sector, now part of the bloc’s carbon market since January 2024, requires a balanced approach to achieve its green transition goals without unintended economic consequences.
