EU lawmakers call for 2% green marine fuel mandate by 2030

Europe’s lawmakers have adopted their position on draft EU rules on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport (FuelEU Maritime) with a 2% mandate by 2030.

The European Parliament wants the maritime sector to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships by 2% as of 2025, 20% as of 2035 and 80% as of 2050 compared to 2020 level. The European Commission had proposed cuts of 13% by 2035 and 75% by 2050.

This would apply to ships above 5,000 gross tonnage, to all energy used on board in or between EU ports, and to 50% of energy used on voyages where the departure or arrival port is outside of the EU or in its outermost regions.

MEPs also mandated that containerships and passenger ships use on-shore power sources while docked at major EU ports by 2030.

The negotiating mandate was adopted by 451 votes to 137 and 54 abstentions, with Parliament now ready to start negotiations with member states.