Regulation
European shipowners say the EU shipping fund should at least triple
European Shipowners says shipping accounts for around 10% of EU ETS emissions but almost 20% of the bill, and that the Commission’s 110 million SMAP allowances cover only a third of what is needed. The association wants at least 330 million allowances, which it puts at EUR 30 billion.
Source: European Shipowners (opens in a new tab)
European Shipowners (ES|ECSA) said on 15 October 2026 that shipping is responsible for around 10% of EU ETS emissions but pays almost 20% of the ETS bill. Unlike other sectors, it has never received free allowances.
The association said the new Sustainable Maritime Alternative Propulsion (SMAP) mechanism is a chance to reinvest part of that contribution in shipping’s energy transition. A study by European Shipowners finds that the Commission’s proposed 110 million allowances cover only a third of what is needed. It finds that SMAP needs at least 330 million allowances (EUR 30 billion) to help create a market for sustainable maritime fuels and technologies, and that the support must cover all sustainable fuels and technologies, including energy efficiency projects, that facilitate shipping’s energy transition.
ES|ECSA called on the European Parliament and the Council to at least triple the ETS revenues earmarked for SMAP. It said this is crucial to helping shipping meet FuelEU Maritime’s 2040 target.
Sotiris Raptis, secretary general of European Shipowners, said shipping pays almost 20% of total ETS revenues although it is responsible for 10% of the emissions covered by the ETS, and that it has never received a single free allowance. He said the Commission proposal covers only a third of what is needed to help create a market for clean fuels and tech, and that Parliament and the Council must at least triple the earmarked ETS revenues in SMAP.