Cleaner fuel may have unintended consequences for global shipping

NEXT month the European Commission is expected to announce the details of its proposed FuelEU Maritime initiative. It is intended to increase the use of sustainable alternative fuels in European shipping and ports by addressing market barriers that hamper their use and uncertainty about which technical options are market-ready.

It is described as being part of a package to bring the maritime transport sector in line with the EU's ambition of climate-neutrality by 2050.

A public consultation has been held, involving shipowners, operators, ports, terminals, technology providers, manufacturers, fuel producers and suppliers, trade unions, environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs), academia and research institutes as well as citizens, consumers and cargo owners.