Blueprint for sustainable shipping and seaports

The European Parliament’s Transport Committee has prepared a report on the sustainability of shipping and seaports. MEP Johan Van Overtveldt helped negotiate the text: “The COVID-19 crisis clearly demonstrates the importance of international supply chains and the essential economic role played by the maritime sector. Almost 90% of Europe’s external trade in goods is seaborne, and the sector employs two million people. 40% of the world’s fleet is in European hands. However, the challenges in terms of reducing emissions and sustainability are great. As the Competitiveness The extent to which companies in one country can compete with similar companies in another country. A law came into force in Belgium in 1996 to monitor competitiveness. This stipulates that Belgian salaries may not evolve faster than the average of those in the three neighbouring countries. The Central Economic Council (CEC) performs an annual measurement to see if the objectives have been obtained. competitiveness of the maritime sector is strongly linked to a global level playing field, measures must take this into account. The European Parliament is giving an advance warning with this blueprint.”

Cleaner fuel

Many ships still sail on heavy fuel oil in the absence of alternative fuels that are also economically viable. The EU wants to play a major role in the drive for cleaner fuel. The Committee is planning an initiative for this, known in the Brussels bubble as “FuelEU Maritime”.

Johan Van Overtveldt: “The shipowners in Flanders are already ambitious and pioneering new technology such as hydrogen. At the same time, we on the Transport Committee believe that liquefied natural gas (LNG) may not just be written off, but is definitely an important link in the transition to lower emissions.”

Innovative green ships

The ships themselves can also be modified, such as with solar and wind propulsion and hydrodynamics. There was a great deal of discussion in the Transport Committee about the use of so-called “scrubbers” that wash pollutants such as sulphur out of exhaust gases. However, when that washing water is discharged, there is a risk of transferring the pollution from air to water.

“That is why there is already a ban on discharging such washing water in Flanders. However, it hardly needs saying that a European solution is needed here too, one that takes account of developments within the International Maritime Organisation. The financing of innovation is also essential. This is where the EU can really offer added value.”

The strategic function of ports

The report rightly stresses that ports are more than transport hubs: “Ports are multifaceted clusters of transportation, energy, industry and blue economy that serve a strategic function. For example, the new ‘Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ aims to become the leading energy port of Europe. Hydrogen as well as the capture and reuse of CO2 in the industrial cluster around the ports are crucial in this respect. It is essential that the EU also recognises this, because in the recently published smart mobility strategy, ports and shipping are treated harshly.”