Maritime transport accounted for more than 3.7% of EU CO2 emissions in 2018, according to a Commission report

In 2018, 11,600 ships emitted a total of 138 million tonnes of CO₂, more than 3.7% of the European Union’s total carbon dioxide emissions, reveals a European Commission report published on Monday 25 May.

Analysing the emissions and energy efficiency performance of all ships of more than 5,000 gross tonnage that carried out maritime transport activities related to the European Economic Area (EEA) in 2018, the report shows that about two thirds of this total percentage of 3.7% of total reported CO₂ emissions were related to voyages to or from a port located outside the EEA.

Journeys within the EEA and ships in EEA ports accounted for 32% and 6% respectively of the total percentage indicated.

With regard to the distribution of emissions according to ship type, the report points out that container ships were responsible for the largest share of emissions, with more than 30%.

Finally, the Commission notes that the vast majority of vessels have reduced their speed compared with 2008 (by 15-20%), while recalling that sailing at lower speeds saves energy and fuel.

Since 2018, the EU Regulation on the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport (2015/757) obliges maritime companies to monitor their CO₂ emissions, fuel consumption and other relevant information during navigation to and from EEA ports.

Furthermore, in the framework of the European Green Deal, the Commission intends to present a legislative initiative to develop the use of alternative fuels for ships. Initially planned for the end of 2020, this initiative could be postponed until 2021, according to a draft version of the revised work programme (see EUROPE 12467/23).

To consult the report: https://bit.ly/2X2Rllj (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)