Transforming Europe’s Maritime Sector: Key Steps to Achieve EU Environmental Goals

Europe’s maritime sector is on a path to becoming more sustainable, but there’s still a lot of work to do. A recent report from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the European Environment Agency (EEA) highlights the need for stronger actions to meet the European Union’s climate goals. These goals aim to cut down energy use, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions while also protecting biodiversity.

The report shows that while there have been improvements in environmental performance, reducing emissions is still a major challenge. Shipping activities, such as cargo transportation, fishing, and cruise operations, contribute significantly to environmental issues. In fact, the maritime sector accounts for 3-4% of the EU’s carbon dioxide emissions, which needs to be reduced.

Interestingly, methane emissions have more than doubled from 2018 to 2023, primarily due to the increased use of liquefied natural gas. This rise in emissions emphasizes the ongoing challenges of addressing greenhouse gases and air pollutants like sulfur and nitrogen oxides.

There has been a rise in the use of alternative fuels and energy sources, although starting from a low level. For these alternatives to meet future demands, production will need to increase substantially. Moreover, there’s a need for international guidelines and training for seafarers on new decarbonization technologies.

Since 2014, sulfur oxide emissions in the EU have decreased by about 70%. This positive trend is due to the introduction of sulfur emission control areas (SECAs) in Northern Europe. A new SECA in the Mediterranean is set to start on May 1, 2025, which is expected to bring further reductions.

On the other hand, nitrogen oxides emissions have risen by an average of 10% between 2015 and 2023, making up 39% of transport-related emissions in 2022. Additionally, the release of grey water from cruise ships has surged by 40% since 2014, adding to environmental concerns.

Recent studies also show high underwater noise levels in regions like the English Channel and the Adriatic Sea, which could potentially be reduced by up to 70% with proper mitigation measures by 2030.

Once a growing problem, marine litter from shipping and fishing has decreased by half over the last decade. However, issues like plastic pellet pollution from lost containers remain a serious challenge. Approximately 27% of Europe’s near-shore seabed is affected by activities related to maritime transport, leading to habitat loss and physical disturbances.

In summary, while Europe’s maritime sector is making strides toward sustainability, significant efforts are needed to address emissions and protect marine environments effectively.