EMEA News
ECSA Wants EU to Invest in Bunkering Infrastructure for Alternative Fuels
The European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) has called on the European Union (EU) to invest in bunkering infrastructure, particularly with respect to emerging and alternative fuels.
"European shipowners are increasingly using alternatives to heavy fuel oil, including marine gasoil, LNG, biofuels and methanol. This requires large investments in vessels, but also in bunkering infrastructure and other facilities in ports," said ECSA.
"The EU can facilitate these investments, not just through financial support, but also through support of R&D projects and a timely and correct implementation of the Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure."
The call comes as part of ECSA's "16+1- proposals" aimed at boosting the EU's shipping policy.
"Instead of presenting the Commission with a wish list, we are proposing a series of quick wins that are equally beneficial to the industry as they are to the EU," said ECSA President Thomas Rehder.
Other proposals include calls to facilitate trusted partnerships in IMO and other international fora, and to stimulate early ratification of international conventions, as well as providing "a checklist for better and smarter shipping regulation."
VDR this week has also called for funding for liquified natural gas (LNG) powered vessels, saying "not a single LNG-ship could be launched in the whole of Europe that was not subsidised."
