Clean Maritime Fuels Platform, the recently established by the European shipowners' association European and associations of alternative fuel producers ( of the 12th September 2024), suggested to the European Commission some measures to incentivise investment in fuel production for shipping being the access to these fuels - has highlighted Clean Maritime Fuels – a top priority for the decarbonization of the sector.

Clean Maritime Fuels first of all called for the inclusion of renewable and low-carbon fuels and innovative technologies for maritime transport in the context of application of the next Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP), the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, whose objective will be to support the production and distribution of sustainable fuels, which the European Commission is developing and which is expected to be presented in the autumn. "We invite the Commission - explained Clean Maritime Fuels - to create in the its next STIP funding methods dedicated to the sector for the production, distribution and use of clean, safe and affordable marine fuels for this sector difficult to decarbonize. The measures - specified the platform - should be short-term and scalable".

In addition, Clean Maritime Fuels has called for the use of STIP to reduce the risk of investments in new fuels by using the revenues generated at EU and national level by the European system ETS for emissions trading. "It is appropriate - he said explained - introduce into EU law an obligation to allocate revenues from the national ETS to maritime transport, provided that the sector continues to pay for its emissions under the EU ETS. Revenues from the national ETS should be invested in the adoption of marine fuels and technologies clean".

In the opinion of Clean Maritime Fuels, "in particular, the STIP should develop mechanisms dedicated to the maritime transport, funded by both the EU and the Member States, to support the production and uptake of renewable fuels and low-carbon emissions. This should in particular Dealing with uncertainty stemming from higher production costs of these fuels compared to conventional fuels, long-term investments required and the volatility of the market projects, which currently prevent projects in Europe from provide large volumes of renewable and low-energy fuels carbon emissions".

In addition, Clean Maritime Fuels has urged a reduction in administrative burdens 'so that small and medium-sized enterprises companies, which form the backbone of the sector, can apply for the Innovation Fund calls and access this support".

Finally, the Platform called for facilitating the role of ports as energy hubs through infrastructure mandates for renewable and low-emission fuels and promoting international cooperation between ports.