KBRV Highlights ETS Uncertainty For Offshore Vessels Ahead Of EU Maritime Forum<\/p>\n
Ahead of next week\u2019s Offshore Working Group meeting of the European Commission\u2019s European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF), the Royal Belgian Shipowners\u2019 Association (KBRV) sends a stark warning about the looming aberrations for the offshore shipping sector with next year\u2019s ETS implementation.<\/p>\n
The European offshore sector plays a crucial role in Europe\u2019s energy transition. In particular, Belgian companies such as DEME and Jan De Nul are world leaders in offshore wind, dredging, and complex maritime infrastructure projects, in full support of Europe\u2019s climate ambitions.<\/p>\n
Yet the sector that is in full support of Europe\u2019s climate ambition is due to be penalised with severe unfair competition with the upcoming implementation of the EU ETS in 2027.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key issue is that the foundational Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) framework was designed for commercial shipping, not for offshore activities,\u201d stated Celine Audenaerdt, KBRV\u2019s Head of Environmental and Technical Affairs.\u00a0 \u201cThe MRV does not clearly define which vessels qualify as \u2018offshore\u2019. The \u2018port of call\u2019 concept \u2014 central to emissions reporting \u2014 does not reflect offshore operations.\u201d<\/p>\n
The MRV mismatch with offshore\u2019s on-the-ground reality will result in legal uncertainty, operational mismatch, and serious competitive distortions for the sector.<\/p>\n
For example, a European offshore company departing from an EU port to install offshore wind turbines in the North Sea falls under EU ETS. However, a non-EU operator carrying out the exact same work in the same location \u2014 departing from a non-EU port (e.g. UK) \u2014 would not face the same obligations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout targeted adjustments, current rules risk undermining both competitiveness and the energy transition they are meant to support,\u201d added Ms Audenaerdt.<\/p>\n
KBRV urges the European Commission and the European Parliament to address the pressing issue. The KBRV will propose some solutions at the meeting, which include:<\/p>\n
Move from vessel-based to activity-based definitions to determine the scope, supported by a negative list of exclusions.<\/p>\n
Introduce a \u201cvirtual port of call\u201d based on the location where the offshore work is executed, ensuring equal treatment for all operators in EU waters.<\/p>\n
Implement a temporary \u201cStop the Clock\u201d of the EU ETS offshore until the regulatory issues are resolved.<\/p>\n
Work towards a global, level playing field via the IMO.<\/p>\n
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