July 30, 2025
Interferry has called on the European Commission to immediately harmonize its unilateral EU ETS / FuelEU Maritime regulations with the recently agreed IMO Net-Zero Framework.
As stated, Interferry warns that failure to align Greenhouse Gas regulations will lead to double payment for emissions, placing an unsustainable financial burden on European ferry operators and jeopardizing essential trade and travel services.
Furthermore, Interferry considers it fundamentally unacceptable for ferry operators to be forced into double payment for the same emissions under both EU ETS / FuelEU Maritime and the new IMO Net-Zero framework.
According to the statement, this overlap will impose an financial burden on Europe’s RoRo cargo and RoRo passenger operators, threatening the long-term viability of lifeline ferry services, and pushing freight and passenger volumes onto already congested European road networks.
We cannot have a situation where operators are paying twice for the same emissions. The European Commission pledged to align its rules once a strong global framework was established at the IMO. That framework is now in place. It’s time for the European Commission to deliver on its promise, ensure regulatory consistency, and protect the vital role ferries play in Europe’s economy and connectivity.
…Johan Roos, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Interferry, emphasized.
Ferry operators are joining the World Shipping Council (WSC) in a similar call for the EU to align its greenhouse gas (GHG) pricing rules with global standards.
