EU Emissions Trading System (ETS)

Integrating the shipping industry into the EU ETS will result in shipping companies which have regular EU port of calls being disproportionately burdened, both administratively and especially financially, ultimately increasing the cost to consumers. This burden is especially heavy for the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises which constitute the largest part of both EU and international shipping. Moreover, the extension of the EU ETS to shipping may create a commercial advantage for non-EU shipping companies, thereby, causing distortion of competition, while its impact on the competitiveness of EU ports could lead to rerouting of global shipping away from them. A proliferation of such regional or national schemes around the world, on account of the precedent set by the EU with its ETS, is a major concern for the industry.