The European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO) called this Friday for a comprehensive evaluation of the measures included in the proposal for the review of the emission trading system (EU ETS) that the European Commission presented that same day, in order to clarify its impact on the level playing field among Union ports. The organization, which represents European port authorities and administrations, valued Brussels' recognition of the issues of carbon leakage and business activity caused by the existing framework, but warned that the proposals on the table may create new problems.
ESPO welcomed the measures aimed at reducing evasive port calls by adjusting the list of neighboring ports, an issue that the organization has been raising in recent years. The Commission's proposal lowers the container quota in transit that defines a neighboring transshipment port from 65% to 50%, a change that directly affects European Mediterranean ports oriented towards this activity, such as Algeciras, as reported by this outlet.
ESPO considers these adjustments a recognition by the community executive that the current system has distorted competition between EU ports and non-community ports in their surrounding area. Nevertheless, it announced that it and its members will need to review the specific proposals and assess whether they are too complex or if they open up new avenues for avoidance.
The organization opposes, in contrast, any measure that extends the maritime ETS's scope to certain smaller vessels. It warns of clear signs of a shift in cargo back to the road due to the system in its current form, and maintains that lowering the threshold from 5,000 to 400 gross tonnage would even further benefit road transport. This effect, it points out, goes against the spirit of European policy promoting short-sea shipping.
"We see some willingness from the Commission, which recognizes that carbon leakage and activity are real problems that need to be addressed," stated ESPO Secretary General Isabelle Ryckbost. "Although changes to the list of neighboring ports may help reduce certain forms of evasive behavior, EU ports are still at a disadvantage compared to non-community ports in their surroundings." Ryckbost added that incorporating the segment of smaller vessels into the system entails new risks.
"We will evaluate the Commission's proposals and their impact assessment on our part, and we hope that all lawmakers are willing to examine our assessments with an open mind," continued the Secretary General. "The competitiveness of European ports and the economy and resilience of Europe are at stake."
ESPO also emphasized the importance of reviewing the proposal when the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reaches an agreement on its net-zero emissions framework. "It is not clear at this time in which direction the work at the IMO is evolving, but global context and a global solution must be taken into account," pointed out Ryckbost.
The port organization reiterated its commitment to the decarbonization of maritime transport and its support for ambitious climate policies. At the same time, it conditioned that environmental goals can only be achieved if measures effectively reduce emissions, without merely displacing cargo, emissions, and economic activity outside the European Union.
With the proposal already heading towards the European Parliament and the Council, ESPO urged co-legislators to strengthen the text and offer a solution capable of preserving climate ambition while simultaneously restoring a level playing field for European ports. The outcome of this processing will determine the competitive margin within which Mediterranean ports of the Union will operate compared to the non-community harbors in their surroundings.
