Shipping
Europe must stand firm and clean up shipping’s giant CO2 emissions
More people than ever are aware that the giant ships carrying 80% of global trade are also giant polluters. Green MEP Bas Eickhout argues that regulators face a choice between real and fake CO2 regulations for shipping at UN negotiations next week.
Carbon levy should fund cleaner shipping fuels, say top executives
Executives at some of the world’s top shipping groups are advocating a levy on carbon emissions on shipping in an effort to shape tightening rules on greenhouse gas emissions while providing a means to fund development of cleaner fuel sources.
UK government urged to factor international aviation and shipping into climate plans
Aviation and shipping should be included in the UK government's climate planning, according to an expert panel, which was already decisive in pushing lawmakers towards adopting a net-zero target for 2050. EURACTIV's partner edie.net reports.
EU eyes end of energy tax waivers for air and sea transport sectors
The European Union is studying a reform of energy taxes to align them with climate targets, an EU document showed, listing as possible measures higher minimum tax rates, fossil fuel levies and the end of waivers for the air and sea transport sectors.
Time to give the transport sector the predictability it needs to thrive in a zero emission economy
Despite its clear potential for clean transportation, electro-mobility still does not seem to be the motor driving Europe’s economic, climate, and industrial policy, writes Folker Franz.
World’s largest electric ferry enters service in Denmark
An all-electric ferry, purported to be the world’s largest, completed its first voyage between two Danish islands last week, as the shipping sector gears up for strict new emission laws due to take effect in 2020.
Oil tanker investments at risk from climate action, report says
Strong action on climate change would shrink demand for vessels by a third, impacting investment decisions being made now, analysts say. EURACTIV’s partner Climate Home News reports.
UK to order ships with zero emission technology from 2025
The UK government on Thursday (11 July) said all new ships ordered from 2025 and aimed for its waters must be equipped with zero emission technology, as part of a new plan to cut maritime pollution.
Shipping heavyweights at risk of missing climate targets
The world’s shipping heavyweights are not investing in key technologies to reduce their carbon footprint, putting the sector at risk of missing targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050, according to the Carbon Disclosure Project.
Banks to include CO2 emission measures in shipping loan decisions
A group of leading banks will for the first time include efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions in their decision making when providing shipping company loans, executives said on Tuesday (18 June). International shipping accounts for 2.2% of global carbon...
Five Star Movement and Lega clash over cruise ship crash
A near tragedy in Venice on Sunday (2 June) has once again shown how Italy’s co-ruling parties are more and more at loggerheads after last week's EU elections shifted the government's balance of powers towards Matteo Salvini's far-right Lega party.
EU LEARN project affirms effectiveness of carbon accounting for freight and logistics by companies
Reducing global freight and logistics emissions is critical to reach the Paris Climate Agreement goals. Businesses that calculate emissions can take better decisions to reduce emissions and optimise efficiency.
Cruise ships chief: ‘The goal is zero impact, just fun’
More gigantic cruise ships will take to the high seas in the coming years, according to industry CEO Michael Thamm. In an interview with EURACTIV, he revealed how cruising intends to embrace low-carbon technologies in an effort to reduce its environmental impact and keep its customers satisfied.
Trusting the accountant: How emissions reporting is set to change
Climate targets can only function if countries, cities and companies report their emissions accurately. A new project hopes to show how reporting should be done, but building trust looks set to play a huge part in overcoming the challenge.
US threatens to capsize marine emissions cap
The United States is pushing for a late change to the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) landmark cap on sulphur emissions, throwing into doubt the 2020 implementation date.
Gas chief: LNG can help cut air pollution, boost human health
Shipping is responsible for over 3% of global emissions with that number expected to grow. Owners and operators will have to decide how to clean up their vessels and liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a potential solution, Gas Infrastructure Europe's Wim Groenendijk told EURACTIV.
Shipping giant announces trial run of Arctic sea route
Danish shipping company Maersk will this week send for the first time one of its ships along the Northern Sea Route, an Arctic shipping lane along Russia’s northern coastline that is set to become more important as climate change makes it more viable.
What the UN deal on shipping emissions means
Last week’s difficult deal on shipping emissions at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) brought some good news. The not-so-good news is that there is far too little acceptance of the need for immediate action, writes Bill Hemmings.
Brussels hails UN deal to halve shipping emissions by 2050
Over 170 countries reached agreement on Friday (13 April) to reduce CO2 emissions from shipping by “at least” 50% on 2008 levels by 2050, ending years of slow progress.
EU warns Turkey over Cyprus ship incident
The European Union on Monday (13 February) called on Turkey to avoid threats and "refrain from any actions that might damage good neighbourly" ties after Cyprus accused the Turkish military of obstructing a ship exploring for gas.
World’s largest cruise operator closes in on 2020 emissions target
The world's largest leisure travel company, the Carnival Corporation, looks set to achieve a 25% reduction in carbon emissions before a 2020 deadline, after championing liquefied natural gas (LNG) on cruise ships. EURACTIV's partner edie.net reports.
Daily emissions of cruise ships same as one million cars
Cruise ships can emit as much particulate matter as a million cars every day and the air quality on deck can be as bad as the world’s most polluted cities, according to a new investigation.
Greek ship owners clash with Schäuble over taxation
The inability of German maritime policy to successfully support its domestic shipping industry is the motivation behind Wolfgang Schäuble’s pressure on the Greek government to tax shipping firms, Greek ship owners said in a statement.