The risk of cargo diversion to the detriment of European Union ports is becoming ‘more and more real’, according to a European port group.
They fear that container lines will prefer to call non-EU ports at the beginning of 2024 to avoid paying additional costs under the European Union Emission Trading System (ETS).
Such cargo diversion would work to the benefit of non-EU ports in the Mediterranean and the UK.
Therefore the European Commission to consider solutions to avoid cargo diversion, starting with a study of the ETS’ impact, the lobby argues.
Lamia Kerdjoudj, secretary-general of the Federation of European Port Companies and Private Terminals (Ferport), said: “We need a real assessment of the impact of ETS for shipping on EU ports to be conducted now and not in two years when cargo will have left some EU ports for good.
“Port capacities in southern Mediterranean and other non-EU ports are important and they will continue to grow.
“They will represent attractive alternatives for the shipping lines which want to avoid ETS.
“Do we want to wait for this to happen and investments in EU ports to be put on hold or cancelled?”
Ferport and other European stakeholders, including tug owners, ship agents and pilots, want the Commission to explore the possibility of bilateral agreements with EU neighbouring countries.
Such countries would then be urged to adopt legislation similar to the ETS and with converging timelines.
Ultimately, the European port group is hopeful that continental politicians can lobby the International Maritime Organization for a global ETS.
