In preparation of the European Shipping Summit held in Brussels on 19-20 September, the MMF engaged intensely with the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects to provide feedback from the maritime industry regarding the EU’s Fit for 55 Package, in particular new provisions related to the Emissions Trading System (ETS) regulations on Neighbouring Container Transhipment Ports.
The MMF’s researched position served as a basis for Minister Aaron Farrugia’s intervention during the European Shipping Summit during a panel discussion with high profile speakers including former European Commission President Barroso.
On this occasion, Minister Aaron Farrugia underlined the importance of Europe’s carbon neutrality and climate change objectives as well as the need to ensure security of supply and fair level playing field on both European and global levels.
However, referring to the Fit for 55 Package which he acknowledged as a closed dossier, Minister Farrugia warned that Europe cannot afford to impose unfair competitive disadvantages upon EU member states and risk of passing on transshipment activity from EU ports located in the Mediterranean to other continents. He said that the latest safeguards in the Neighbouring Transhipment Annex were noted but it was absolutely vital to ensure that monitoring of emerging potential competing ports to avoid devastating business and carbon leakages from the Package overall.
