SIMIC

EUROPEAN Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) welcomes EU's proposed Net-Zero Industry Act and that its mandates be rigorously enforced.
But the industry says it is still missing a clear plan for the development of a European supply chain for clean marine fuels and technologies, said ECSA secretary general Sotiris Raptis, reports Athen's Safe4Sea.
On March 16, the European Commission proposed the Net-Zero Industry Act to scale up manufacturing of clean technologies in the EU and make sure the EU is well-equipped for the clean-energy transition.
According to ECSA, the shipping industry is a pillar of European security, providing energy, food and goods supply security.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Europe to boost the sector's competitiveness," said Mr Raptis.
The ECSA pointed out that as shipping is one of the most difficult to decarbonise sectors, the upscaling of affordable low- and zero-carbon fuels and technologies for the sector is key.
For this reason, renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) should be included within the Act's definition of "strategic net-zero technologies", so that dedicated production capacity can be developed.
In addition, the ECSA warmly welcomed the inclusion of offshore renewable technologies and carbon capture and storage in the list of strategic net zero technologies.
The strategic role of shipping for Europe's energy security, food security and security of supply of goods must be properly recognised. In this context, we welcome the support for the faster uptake of offshore technologies, for which shipping already plays a critical role.